A Luxembourg medical oversight committee--the Collège medical--last year had Ochs’ medical licence, saying the doctor had violated the profession’s code of conduct on 13 counts. Ochs had appealed the decision.

When hearings began in January, around 100 supporters had gathered outside court buildings in Luxembourg City. Ochs had regularly featured at protests against pandemic measures and also appeared during a debate in parliament against coronavirus vaccines.

The medical college said Ochs had not followed protocol, for example not wearing a mask when required and treating patients with hydroxochloroquine, a drug that wasn’t approved for use.

Should Ochs practice medicine in Luxembourg during his one-year suspension, he could face criminal charges. He will receive no financial compensation during this time. He has several weeks to help patients find other caregivers. While the appeal was pending, he had been allowed to keep practising.

The defendant’s lawyer--Christian Bock--said that the verdict was too harsh. There is no further possibility to appeal in Luxembourg but Bock said he might consider taking the matter to the European Court of Human Rights following a more thorough review of the verdict.

Ochs speaking with RTL said he is disappointed in the verdict, claiming corruption.