The transplant and cancer surgeon Christoph Broelsch, from Essen University Hospital, has been sentenced to three years in prison, the district court in Düsseldorf decided last Friday.

The surgeon, aged 65, was convicted for corruption in 30 cases, fraud in eight cases, coercion in three, and fiscal fraud in two. A probation period is not possible; he will lose his state pension and will probably go to an open prison.

He had pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer has not yet announced whether he will appeal. The …