Doctors charged after Greek singer dies after controversial anti-ageing procedure
Two doctors have been charged following the sudden death of Greek singer Giorgos Mazonakis.
He passed away on Wednesday (September 9) after suffering a cardiac arrest at a private medical practice in the Kolonaki district of Athens.
Mazonakis, 54, had visited the facility to undergo a controversial anti-ageing procedure, described as plasmapheresis.
A rapid-response unit arrived at the scene at around 4.30pm, with a paramedic then beginning CPR. An ambulance then transported Mazonakis to Elpis Hospital and he was pronounced dead at 5.40pm.
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His exact cause of death remained undetermined following a forensic examination on Friday (September 11). A death certificated was issued to allow the star's funeral to take place.
Findings were produced by the autopsy but they were not able to establish a clear cause of death, according to an initial assessment by the forensic pathologist.
Further toxicological and other lab tests are expected to uncover more about the circumstances of Mazonakis' death.
Authorities charged two doctors on Friday (September 11) with the felony offence of endangerment resulting in death.
According to reports, the charges are based in part on evidence showing that Mazonakis was undergoing the procedure at the clinic when he passed and that the clinic's medical office was not licensed to perform the procedure.
Plasmapheresis is a medical procedure that removes blood, separates the liquid plasma from blood cells and replaces the plasma, before returning the blood to the patient's body.
It is often marketed as an 'age-reversal' procedure of 'blood cleanse' and side effects can include dangerous drops in blood pressure, blood-clotting issues and infections.
Medical professionals have warned people not to undergo plasmapheresis outside of specialised medical facilities due to the risks associated with the procedure.
The FDA also strongly warn against using it as an anti-ageing hack due to a lack of rigorous human clinic trials.
Following Mazonakis' passing, Adonis Georgiadis, Greece's Health Minister, issued a statement via social media where he announced an investigation into the circumstances of his death would be taking place.
Taking to X, he penned: "According to the initial information, Giorgos Mazonakis suffered cardiac arrest at what was supposedly a clinic, during a procedure that has been described as plasmapheresis.
"The precise cause of his death will, of course, be determined through the forensic investigation, as will whether anyone bears responsibility and, if so, who. We must, however, investigate the exact circumstances of the incident.
"In reality, the facility was licensed only as a general medical practice, and a medical procedure of this kind is not permitted to be performed in such a practice."
Georgiadis went on to say that the Athens Medical Association had been contacted and had commenced the investigation.
He added: "In any event, I urge patients to be careful about what they read online and not to put their health at risk under questionable conditions.
"I express my sincere condolences to his family and his thousands of friends."
Topics: World News, News, Health
Danni King