Roger Abdelmassih

Roger Abdelmassih
Born	(1943-10-03) October 3, 1943 São João da Boa Vista, São Paulo, Brazil
Occupation	Physician
Known for	Pioneer in in-vitro fertilization in Brazil; convicted of sexual assault

Roger Abdelmassih (born 3 October 1943) is a former Brazilian physician recognized as a trailblazer in the field of in-vitro fertilization within Brazil. In 2009, he faced accusations of sexually assaulting patients while they were sedated and was subsequently sentenced to 278 years in prison for committing 52 rape offenses alongside 39 attempted sexual assaults.

Biography

Abdelmassih was born in São João da Boa Vista, São Paulo, to parents of Lebanese descent. He managed a clinic located in an affluent district of São Paulo and became widely known for providing treatment to spouses of prominent figures such as Pelé, former president Fernando Collor, comedian Tom Cavalcante, and Senator Renan Calheiros. Among his high-profile cases were the twin daughters of television host Gugu Liberato.

Accusation of sexual abuse

At the beginning of 2009, Brazilian news outlets disclosed allegations accusing Abdelmassih of sexually abusing his patients. He refuted these claims, asserting that rivals aimed to tarnish his professional standing. More than 60 complaints were filed across three different states.

On 17 August 2009, Judge Bruno Paes Stranforini authorized Abdelmassih’s detention. After spending four months incarcerated, he was released on 24 December following a habeas corpus granted by Supreme Federal Court president Gilmar Mendes.

His medical license was officially revoked on 20 May 2011. On 23 November 2010, Judge Kenarik Boujikian Felippe handed down a sentence totaling 278 years for the rape of 56 patients. Initially, he was denied the right to appeal prior to imprisonment but later obtained it. Nevertheless, when he attempted to renew his passport amid concerns over potential flight risk, authorities requested his re-arrest.

In early 2011, Abdelmassih escaped Brazil before being apprehended and was subsequently listed on Interpol’s wanted registry as well as among São Paulo Civil Police’s top 25 most wanted fugitives. Reports indicate he traveled through Paraguay and Uruguay using a counterfeit passport before reaching Lebanon, a country without an extradition agreement with Brazil.

He had recently married Larissa Maria Sacco, a former prosecutor significantly younger by 36 years; she resigned from her role in 2011 and fled alongside him. The couple has twin sons.

Arrest

Following more than three years on the run from Brazilian authorities, Roger Abdelmassih was detained by federal police at 13:25 on 19 August 2014 in Asunción, Paraguay, close to his children’s school. He was extradited to Brazil the following day and incarcerated at Penitentiary II Tremembé.

Abdelmassih’s legal representatives chose not to comment on the arrest. Former Minister of Justice Márcio Thomaz Bastos and José Luis Oliveira Lima indicated they were awaiting the result of an appeal lodged with the São Paulo Court of Justice challenging his initial conviction. Despite his escape, appellate proceedings continue in higher courts located in Brasília. Meanwhile, the São Paulo State Prosecutor sought to increase his sentence beyond the existing total of 278 years; however, Brazilian legislation limits imprisonment terms to a maximum of 30 years.

Popular culture

The series Assédio, produced by Rede Globo and inspired by Vicente Vilardaga’s book A Clínica – A Farsa e os Crimes de Roger Abdelmassih, debuted on 21 September 2018.