Billionaire dies during penis enlargement procedure

Two surgeons have been barred from practising medicine after a billionaire patient died during a cosmetic penis enlargement procedure at a private clinic in Paris.

Ehud Arye Laniado, a 65-year-old Belgian-Israeli diamond dealer and owner of Omega Diamonds, suffered a heart attack during the treatment at the Saint-Honoré-Ponthieu aesthetic clinic.

He was reportedly a regular client of the lead surgeon, identified as Guy H, and had undergone several procedures over the years.

French authorities launched an investigation following his death. While the procedure itself was not deemed the direct cause, prosecutors pursued charges related to failing to assist a person in danger, drug-related offences and practising medicine without proper authorisation.

A Paris court on Wednesday suspended Guy H’s medical licence and sentenced him to 15 months in prison. Another surgeon present that evening received a 12-month suspended sentence.

Both have been permanently banned from practising medicine and ordered to pay fines of €50,000 and €20,000 respectively.

Investigators questioned delays in contacting emergency services, noting that an initial call for help was made hours before a later call to the fire department.

The defence argued the cardiac incident could have occurred anywhere and was not directly linked to the treatment.

The case has drawn attention to oversight and practices within high-end cosmetic surgery clinics in France.