Dr. med. Björn Riggenbach

Dr. med. Björn Riggenbach

General medicine  ·  Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Three-year ban from practising in Neuchâtel and Vaud since August 2023; disciplinary proceedings still open
Case Report — Documentation

Type of persecution

  • State criminal prosecution with a fine (Canton of Neuchâtel)
  • Three-year ban from practising (Cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud)
  • Disciplinary proceedings by the Medical Association with a fine
  • House search with unsolicited photographic documentation
  • Complaints from four further cantons (Bern, Ticino, Vaud, Aargau)
  • Public prosecutor’s charge (Basel-Stadt)
  • Refusal of a practice licence (Valais)

Accusation

  • Issuing inaccurate health certificates
  • Mask-exemption certificates despite a personal examination in each case
  • Taking part in demonstrations and appearing as a speaker
  • Handing out flyers in the practice and at demonstrations
  • Producing and broadcasting YouTube videos
  • Public criticism of the pandemic narrative, the PCR test and the Corona vaccination
  • Informed-consent counselling of patients regarding vaccination
  • Objection over the period of validity of the certificates
  • Allegation of disregarding protective measures
  • Displaying information material in the practice
  • “Misinstruction” of the medical practice assistants
  • “Over-treatment” with reclaims from the health insurers

What actually happened?

As a matter of principle, I personally examined every patient and issued the certificates on the basis of a wide range of medical findings — including COPD, asthma and anxiety disorders. All certificates met medical criteria. In doing so I always adhered to the Declaration of Geneva, the Nuremberg Code and human rights.

From June 2020 to January 2025 the persecution dragged on through countless steps — by the cantonal medical officer, the health police and the Medical Association. There was a search of my practice, questioning of my patients by the authorities, and threats of interrogation against my staff. A hearing of my own case was denied to me. All proceedings were conducted purely administratively — I was convicted without there ever having been a court trial.

In 2022 one of my staff was permanently incapacitated by mental illness — a consequence of the aggressive pressure from the authorities. In August 2023 my practice licence in the Cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud was withdrawn for three years. Since September 2023 I have continued the practice at the same location, but only as a complementary therapist, without the right to prescribe or to issue certificates.

— Dr. med. Björn Riggenbach

Current Status

  • Since August 2023: a three-year ban from practising in the Cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud, with the option of reapplying for a licence once it expires
  • Ban on medical prescribing and on issuing any kind of medical certificate
  • Professional disciplinary proceedings by the Medical Association: status not yet conclusively resolved
  • Since September 2023, continuation of the practice in the same canton as a complementary therapist
Impact — Documentation

Professional impact

  • Loss of the practice licence and a ban on working as a physician in two cantons (Neuchâtel and Vaud)
  • Ban on medical prescribing and on issuing any kind of medical certificate
  • Sharp decline in the patient base; patients turning away under the influence of the ruling

Financial impact

  • Legal costs and fines amounting to around 5,000 CHF
  • No existential financial threat, as he has reached retirement age

Personal impact

  • Anxiety symptoms with episodes of insomnia as well as fears of persecution and surveillance
  • Debriefing and psychotherapeutic processing
  • Reorientation as a therapist; a healing turn towards nature

Collegial reactions

  • Co-founder of Aletheia — many new friendships among colleagues and much support there; still active on the board
  • At his place of work, many colleagues turned away and showed hostility; denial and loss of solidarity
  • Withdrawal from regional networks (continuing education, meetings of the medical society, representation on a commission)
  • Three small regional circles of like-minded colleagues, nursing professionals and fellow citizens give him much strength

Press reactions

  • Mainstream media from early summer 2020: occasional sharp criticism and condemnation, otherwise largely silence and avoidance of any reporting
  • Interview in a critical monthly newspaper
  • Video appearances in alternative media

Outlook

My care for my patients was guided through and through by medical considerations. In terms of professional ethics, I could not have acted otherwise.

Despite the rampant disproportionality of my persecution, this crisis has given rise to many improbably positive relationships — relationships for which I am grateful, which point to new ways of living together and prompt constructive questions about the future. Crises can be extremely burdensome, but also the trigger for new goals and undreamt-of possibilities.

I need no gruelling appeal proceedings and no reckoning with my persecutors. Their actions will have their consequences — of that I am certain.

Chronology

June 2020:
Start of the official persecution by the cantonal medical officer
17 February 2021:
First search of the practice, with unsolicited photographic documentation
2020–2025:
More than five years of ongoing persecution by the cantonal medical officer, the health police and the Medical Association — questioning of patients by the authorities, threats of interrogation against staff, denial of a hearing
2022:
Stress-related permanent incapacity of a staff member due to mental illness
August 2023:
Three-year ban from practising in the Cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud
September 2023:
Continuation of the practice at the same location as a complementary therapist
January 2025:
Preliminary conclusion of the administrative proceedings
Note on responsibility

The information in this case report comes from the affected person themselves. The editorial team verifies whether a criminal or professional prosecution has taken place; it cannot verify the factual accuracy of every single statement. Responsibility for the correctness of the account lies with the respective author.

Name
Dr. med. Björn Riggenbach
Specialty
General medicine
Additional qualifications
Complementary medicine
Special Functions
Co-director of a physicians’ congress held twice a year; lectures and courses in complementary medicine; work as a school physician; medical care for three residential homes (for people with intellectual disabilities and in psychogeriatrics); member of the official Spitex commission. Co-founder and board member of Aletheia.
Position
Owner of a group practice with art therapists in Neuchâtel; practising as a physician since 1992.
Location
Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Age
68 years
Practicing since
1985
Persecuted since
Juni 2020 (Beginn der Verfolgung durch den Kantonsarzt); erste Hausdurchsuchung 17.02.2021
Documented since
May 28, 2026
Status
Three-year ban from practising in Neuchâtel and Vaud since August 2023; disciplinary proceedings still open
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