Doc pleads not guilty in fake vax case

A Larnaca doctor accused of defrauding the state in connection with the issuance of COVID vaccination certificates pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to multiple charges including felony conspiracy.

According to local media, a 53-year-old Larnaca-based medical doctor was arraigned Tuesday before a district judge in the southern town, where he pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in connection with an investigation into allegations of fake vaccination certificates.

The doctor made headlines last year for not embracing the vaccination campaign by the state but maintained his innocence before and after his arrest, which took place after a complaint was filed by a private citizen on behalf of his 41-year-old son, who later died in hospital after being infected with COVID-19.

Local media said the father accused the doctor of providing a fake vaccination certificate for his son, while additional reports said two male COVID patients had confided in doctors and medical staff before dying that they had been given fake vaccinations by the suspect.

Charges in the case include conspiracy to commit felony, document forgery, circulating a fake document, registration under false pretenses, reckless endangerment that creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury, and violations of General Healthcare System Law.

A judge ordered the defendant released on bail with the next hearing set for April 11.