ATHENS – A man who posed as a specialist physician and prescribed unauthorized herbal cures to cancer patients, 12 of whom died, could face charges of murder and attempted murder in an indictment involving 16 other suspects, including a nun.

In a 300-page brief submitted to the Court of Misdemeanors, prosecutor Angeliki Kourinioti argued that the suspect, who introduced himself to patients as “Dr. Kontos,” should be charged with serial homicide and attempted homicide with malice, several counts of causing grievous bodily harm, distribution of illegal narcotic substances and falsely posing as a medical professional, said Kathimerini, which didn't name him.

She also called for charges to be brought against the others indicted, which  16 other individuals – doctors, members of a private medical clinic board, a nun, a herbal remedy seller and a former minister who works as a doctor – for aiding and abetting.

He is still awaiting trial after his arrest in the summer of 2020, the report saying he got patients suffering from serious or terminal cancer in referrals from his accomplices and acquaintances.

He allegedly presented himself as an “experienced herbalist” despite having no qualifications and was said to have pleaded guilty to charges of fraud but denied he intended to harm anyone.