Therapist accused of sexually assaulting multiple patients, with the most recent victim being a 15-year-old.

The trial for a former physiotherapist, identified only as A., began at the Rostock Regional Court on Monday. The defendant is accused of sexually abusing 18 women and raping four of them during his time in practice.

A. was led into the courtroom in leg irons by two court officers. Throughout the first day of the trial, he appeared unimpressed and emotionally detached. At times, he covered his face with a file.

The alleged crimes occurred between March 3, 2020, and March 5, 2025. In almost all cases, A. is said to have abused women with indecent touches in the vaginal area, with penetration of at least one finger in four cases.

In 16 cases, the defendant is said to have performed sexual acts on patients in his physiotherapy practice. Some of the treated women were "frozen" and unable to act, allowing these acts to happen to them. Other victims reportedly asked the physiotherapist to stop, but he sometimes claimed ignorance.

Two cases involve sexual harassment in connection with offered and provided physiotherapeutic treatments. In some cases, the physiotherapist continued against the women's will.

The prosecution considers four of these cases as rapes. If A. makes a confessional statement, personal testimonies from the injured women may not be required. The court stated that playing the video statements of the injured women in court could spare them a great emotional burden and another encounter with A.

The defendant's lawyers announced that he will make a "confessional statement" at the next trial date in September. The court rejected the defense's application for the exclusion of the public for the entire trial.

The next trial date is scheduled for the end of September. The court adjourned the trial after approximately an hour on the first day.

Therapist accused of sexually assaulting multiple patients, with the most recent victim being a 15-year-old.