Doctors arrested over singer Giorgios Mazonakis death
Two doctors were arrested in Greece on Thursday as investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the death of Greek singer Giorgos Mazonakis after he suffered cardiac arrest at a private clinic where he had gone for plasmapheresis treatment.
The doctors are suspected of involvement in the death and face a felony case for deadly exposure. They were expected to appear before a prosecutor on Friday as authorities continued investigating the treatment and events leading up to the singer's death.
An autopsy scheduled for Friday is expected to provide further evidence.
Investigators find timeline discrepancies
According to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, authorities found a significant discrepancy between the time Mazonakis actually arrived at the clinic and the time given by the doctors.
Investigators reportedly determined that the singer arrived at least three hours earlier than the doctors initially stated.
Police also examined data from the clinic's plasmapheresis machine and found that it had been operating for more than 30 minutes. The finding appears to conflict with the doctors' account that Mazonakis collapsed while they were attempting to insert a second intravenous catheter, before the procedure had started.
Authorities seized computer files and other material from the clinic for further examination.
Clinic's authorization questioned
Investigators are also examining whether the clinic was properly licensed to perform plasmapheresis.
The practice had presented itself online as the only certified clinic of its kind in Greece and said it had been registered under that name in Europe since 2022. The doctor involved in the case was listed as the center's medical director.
However, information provided by the Athens Medical Association indicates that the premises on Karneadou Street were licensed as a primary care internal medicine practice.
The clinic had previously operated on Ypsilantou Street in Kolonaki before moving to Karneadou Street in 2013, when it received its operating certificate.
Plasmapheresis authorization under review
Questions have also emerged over the qualifications of one of the doctors working at the practice. According to information from the Athens Medical Association, she is registered as a physician without a specialty.
Under the applicable framework, doctors without a specialty may operate a private general practice or primary healthcare practice.
The medical association and members of the medical community have indicated that therapeutic plasmapheresis is not a procedure normally performed in a standard internal medicine primary care practice.
In Greece, the procedure is performed at Laiko, Kratiko and Attikon hospitals, as well as at day-care hospitalization units.
Authorities are now examining what equipment was installed at the clinic, whether it had been properly declared and approved, and whether the procedures performed there were covered by its operating authorization.
The investigation is expected to establish the exact treatment given to Mazonakis and whether the clinic's equipment, licensing and medical procedures complied with Greek regulations.
