VANNES, France - The criminal trial of former surgeon Joël Le Scouarnec continued Thursday in Morbihan, France, with testimony from family members and investigators regarding allegations of sexual abuse against 299 victims spanning 26 years [1][2].

Le Scouarnec's eldest son testified Friday, describing a previously close relationship with his father and expressing support for the victims. "At no point did I question the word of my cousins," he stated, revealing he struggled with depression and alcohol addiction after learning of the allegations [1].

The investigation, described as "unprecedented" by Commander Cyrille Martin, involved analyzing 410 documents and conducting 430 interviews. Investigators identified 312 victims of non-prescribed acts, with victims spread across multiple French regions including 107 in Morbihan and 24 in Finistère [2].

Earlier in the proceedings, Le Scouarnec's sister Annie testified via video conference, expressing regret for not reporting earlier incidents to authorities. "Of course I regret not immediately reporting these acts," she stated, acknowledging her failure to contact law enforcement when first learning of abuse in 2000 [3].

The trial has faced criticism regarding victim notification procedures, with attorneys questioning the lack of standardized protocols for informing victims who were previously unaware of their abuse [2].

Le Scouarnec faces charges of rape and sexual assault, with many victims being minors at the time of the alleged incidents. The trial continues with further testimony expected from investigators who examined the accused's personal documents and digital files [1].