Pop star’s death during plasma exchange puts Greek private clinics under scrutiny

ATHENS, Sept 12 — Two doctors have been arrested in Greece following the death of a renowned musician, Giorgos Mazonakis, during a plasma exchange procedure, sparking concerns over private clinic regulations. Mazonakis, 54, passed away from cardiac arrest while undergoing the treatment, which involves removing potentially harmful substances from the blood.

Initially used to treat conditions like multiple sclerosis, plasma exchange has gained popularity as an anti-ageing and longevity method. Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis acknowledged that the regulations governing anti-ageing clinics in Greece are "grey," with no existing framework. "This medical field has advanced rapidly, outpacing current laws," he said on Action24 TV.

Mazonakis, one of Greece's most celebrated pop stars with a three-decade career, was set to perform a retrospective concert in Athens on September 20. The arrested physicians, a married couple, refuted any wrongdoing, claiming Mazonakis lost consciousness prior to the treatment commencing. Health officials have warned that plasma exchange is a complex and potentially hazardous process necessitating a full medical team, not suitable for private clinics.

Adonis Georgiadis confirmed to state TV EPT that "the activity was clearly illegal" and that it is prohibited to perform plasma exchange outside a hospital setting. The clinic allegedly holds a pathology practice license, but the suspects' lawyer, Nikos Agapinos, defended the clinic as a "legal establishment with properly registered equipment."

The pair were initially released after questioning on Wednesday but were re-arrested on Thursday due to discrepancies in their statements, specifically the assertion that Mazonakis had initiated the treatment before losing consciousness.