A trainee surgeon was released from custody on bail on Friday after he was accused of secretly video recording hundreds of medical colleagues in the restrooms of Australian hospitals.
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Ryan Cho, 28, is likely to face around 500 charges relating to 4,500 intimate videos he secretly recorded with phones mainly in the staff restrooms of three Melbourne hospitals since 2021, police alleged in documents cited in the Victoria state Supreme Court.
Justice James Elliott ruled the junior doctor could be released on bail, on the condition he lives with his parents, who moved from Singapore to Melbourne for his release. His parents were required to post a surety of A$50,000 (US$32,000).
The prosecutor argued that Cho had no meaningful ties to Australia after being suspended from his job, and the charges against him could be an inducement to flee. While Cho became an Australian permanent resident in April, he would face deportation if he were convicted and sentenced to 12 months or longer in prison, Elliot said.
The judge noted Cho had surrendered his Singapore passport and had no criminal connections to help him leave Australia.
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Cho ignored reporters’ questions as he left the court building wearing sunglasses over his prescription glasses and a surgical face mask.
Police allege Cho recorded intimate images of at least 460 women. The judge noted there was no allegation that Cho had disseminated those images.