Overview
- The trial of 37-year-old osteopath Pierre Garitte in Strasbourg heard closing arguments in early June and a verdict was scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
- Public prosecutor Agnès Robine described Garitte as a predator and requested the maximum 20-year criminal sentence together with 10 years of socio-judicial follow-up, a ban on health professions and registration in the national sex-offender file (Fijais).
- Court experts testified that Garitte showed a sense of omnipotence and a pattern of shifting blame onto patients, while many complainants said they were left stunned and delayed reporting because the acts happened during care.
- Investigators expanded the case after an initial complaint in autumn 2020 by checking Garitte’s patient register and sending questionnaires that prompted dozens of former patients to realize and report unwanted touching or penetration.
- Garitte, who largely denies intentional sexual wrongdoing and says his gestures were therapeutic, used to teach at an osteopathy school which has raised concerns about professional oversight and the wider impact on patient trust and student safety.