‘Dr. Mabuse’ loses appeal

A French court of appeals has upheld the prison sentence of Bernard Sainz – also known as “Dr. Mabuse” – following his 2008 conviction on charges related to doping athletes in the late 1990s.

Sainz, whose background is in homeopathic medicine and acupuncture, does not hold a medical license. Sainz was convicted of practicing medicine without a license by prescribing and dispensing doping products to cyclists and sentenced to three years in prison, with half of that time to be served on probation. Thursday’s ruling reaffirms a prison sentence for Sainz, but reduces the amount of time he will spend behind bars from 18 months to 12.

Sainz was arrested in May of 1999, following a 10-month investigation that included several months of extensive wire-tapping. Sainz’s conviction was based in part on testimony from riders, including Philippe Gaumont and Frank Vandenbroucke.

Vandenbroucke, who died in October, told the court that his arrangement involved bonus payments to Sainz if he won races. In trial testimony, Vandenbroucke described Sainz as a “formidable doper” and an “evil guru.”

Sainz has consistently denied any involvement in doping, insisting that he offered riders only homeopathic remedies and the performance improvements were solely the result of riders’ improved health.

“This conviction goes against the very principles of anti-doping,” the 66-year-old Sainz said after Thursday’s hearing. “It’s ridiculous to believe that convicting me will change anything with regards to doping in sport. There are still undetectable substances being used. Punishing a homeopathic practitioner simply means that those of us who approach things in a healthy and natural way will be discouraged.”

Following Thursday’s ruling, Sainz said he will pursue his case through the full appeals process and possibly to the European Court of Human Rights.

FILED UNDER: News TAGS: Bernard Sainz / doping / Frank Vandenbroucke