The trial of a disbarred and retired medical doctor in French Polynesia has been deferred for a fourth time because he is standing in the French National Assembly election.
Jean-Paul Theron is facing criminal charges for allegedly assaulting and abusing a bailiff outside his home in September while he was being given a summons from medical authorities.
His lawyer had asked the court to respect what he called a judicial truce as his client was in a political campaign.
The last attempt to try him was abandoned in March because no doctor was at hand to decide whether the accused was fit to take the stand.
Dr Jean-Paul Theron Photo: Supplied
According to the lawyer, the examination still hasn't been done yet, but a new trial date of 26 August has been set.
Two months ago, Mr Theron was barred from the profession for three years for several breaches, including practising medicine without a permanent practice.
At the height of the pandemic last year, the retired physician attracted attention for prescribing Ivermectin, which is used as a treatment for parasites, to dozens of Covid-19 sufferers in his care.
Dr Theron told local television that the medical body should be dissolved, and the government be sanctioned for its poor management of the pandemic.
Last year, there were several large demonstrations in Tahiti against the government's vaccination policies and support of Dr Theron.
French Polynesia, which was the first Pacific tourist destination to reopen its borders during the pandemic, has seen more than 640 Covid-related fatalities.