Heart surgeon sentenced for bribery, allowed to work again

Renowned heart surgeon Viliam Fischer who was handed a suspended sentence, a fine and a work ban for accepting a bribe will be allowed to practice again.

Heart surgeon Viliam FischerHeart surgeon Viliam Fischer (Source: Sme)

The Specialised Criminal Court in Pezinok decided to replace the practice ban for Fischer with a suspended two-year ban on January 18. “The reason why I asked the court to drop the rest of the punishment is that I would like to carry out consultation services – surgical activities are likely out of the question – if there is interest, because my experience is significant,” Fischer, the man who accomplished the first successful heart transplant surgery in Slovakia, in March 1998, told the TASR newswire.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

SkryťTurn off ads

In April 2015, the Specialised Criminal Court gave Fischer a suspended two-year punishment with four years probation, a fine of €15,000 and banned him from practicing for three years. The court also consented to confiscating a portion of Fischer’s €800 bribe. Under the existing legislation, Fischer was entitled to ask for the rest of his punishment to be dropped, as he had already served the first half of the sentence.

The court found that Fischer leads an honest life, has a clean criminal record and has already reimbursed the fine of €15,000, and therefore accommodated his request.

Read also: Bereaved whistleblowers in Fischer case cleared of wrongdoing Read more 

Police pressed charges against Viliam Fischer for bribes totalling €3,000, two ducks and a box of chocolates from a family to move one of its members up the surgery waiting list. After the patient underwent the surgery but died in its aftermath, the bereaved family turned to the police.

SkryťTurn off ads
Read also: Surgeon Fischer concludes plea bargain with prosecutor Read more 

Top stories

Stock image.

Twice as many Ukrainians work in Slovakia now than before the Russian invasion.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad