A Polish naturopath received a suspended one-year sentence after falsely telling women with cancer they were free of the disease and offering alternative, ineffective treatments.
False Diagnoses and Abandoned Treatment
Prosecutors and the court found that the naturopath, operating a business in the field, convinced women they did not have cancer but were instead suffering from various pathogens. He advised them to discontinue conventional medical treatment and instead pursue his alternative therapies, for which he charged fees.
The investigation revealed the man misled patients, claiming plasma generator treatments, cleansing patches, and heated stone mats would restore their health. Tragically, both patients died.
Court Ruling and Penalties
The Katowice Regional Court largely upheld the previous verdict, only reducing the amount of damages the man must pay to the father of one of the deceased women. He was found guilty of endangering patients and fraud, and received a three-year ban on practicing his profession.
Justification for the Verdict
Judge Bartłomiej Kwaśnik explained that while the defendant legally operated a naturopathy business using commonly available devices, he was convicted for falsely assuring two women they did not have cancer, contradicting medical diagnoses and documentation.
The judge emphasized that the women ceased following prescribed medical procedures, opting instead for the defendant’s plasma generator and his assertion that their ailments stemmed from pathogens, not cancer.
Court’s Position on Causation of Death
The court rejected the prosecution’s argument that the defendant was responsible for the women’s deaths, deeming it an overreach. It acknowledged that both women suffered from cancers where medical procedures offer hope, but not a guarantee of cure.
Judge Kwaśnik stated that it was impossible to determine if the women would have survived without the defendant’s intervention, noting the terminal nature of their illnesses. He added that conventional medical treatment would have given them a greater chance of survival, and experts determined the defendant’s actions shortened their lives rather than directly causing their deaths.
Family’s Disappointment and Defense’s Response
The husband of one of the deceased women expressed his belief that the sentence was insufficient, stating that criminals are often protected by the courts and that the defendant should be incarcerated and barred from practicing. He also questioned the legitimacy of naturopathy as a profession.
The defendant’s lawyer, Izabela Nowak, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, arguing that her client intended to help the women who sought his services. She maintained that his business was legal and that he did not exceed the scope of his practice as a naturopath.
Related Case Mentioned
A separate case involving six doctors is under investigation, with the possibility of further suspects being identified, according to a report on Wyborcza.pl.
