Interpol sting arrests French doctor

August 03, 2013 | 15:08

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The Hanoi French Hospital has stated that it followed regulations in hiring Doctor Olivier Larroque, an Interpol fugitive, and has stressed that the man’s arrest has not affected the hospital’s operations.

The 51-year-old French doctor was arrested at his workplace in a joint operation between Vietnamese police and Interpol three weeks ago on charges of child molestation and distribution of lewd materials in several countries.

In response to VIR’s questions last week, a representative from the hospital, confirmed that they had checked and verified Larroque’s personal and professional documents in-line with the Vietnamese laws.

The documents included his CV, diploma and criminal record, the latter two having been certified, notarised, and translated by the French Embassy in Hanoi and other relevant authorities including the French police.

“From the time of his employment by our hospital, there were no documents or other red flags to indicate Larroque was a criminal,” he said. “Doctor Larroque kept his personal life private and we only knew him by his work at the hospital.”

The representative added that Larroque’s patients had been transferred to another doctor in the Gastroenteric department.

“Our staff was shocked to hear of his arrest. He was known for being quiet and reserved, but was respected as a health professional, as indicated by the number of return patients,” the representative said.

Larroque first came to Vietnam in 2000 and was contracted to work for six weeks a year for the hospital before taking on a permanent residency in 2011. He most recently lived in a flat in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district and previously in several hotels throughout the city.

By By Kieu Linh

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