Alberta dentist facing multiple sexual assault charges in incidents dating back to 2012
An Alberta dentist will appear in court later this month on sexual assault charges.
Shouresh Charkhandeh has been charged with four counts of sexual assault, and one count of sexual assault-threaten to cause bodily harm.
According to court documents, the charges stem from incidents that took place between 2012 and 2013.
Charkhandeh was criminally charged on Aug. 23.
In 2022, a hearing tribunal for the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA) found a Dr. Shouresh Charkhandeh guilty of unprofessional conduct in a complaint that included multiple allegations of sexual assault.
According to the tribunal decision document, Charkhandeh was accused of committing the following acts against a staff member:
- On or about November 2012, Dr. Charkhandeh kissed or attempted to kiss the complainant, forcibly, or without their consent;
- On or about November 2012, Dr. Charkhandeh masturbated in the complainant’s presence without their consent;
- On or about November 2012, Dr. Charkhandeh forcibly, or without their consent, manipulated the complainant’s hand to masturbate him;
- On or about January 2013, Dr. Charkhandeh forcibly, or without their consent, manipulated the complainant’s head to perform fellatio on him; and
- On or about February 2013, Dr. Charkhandeh forcibly, or without their consent, engaged in sexual intercourse with the complainant.
The tribunal, made up of two dentists and two members of the public appointed by the provincial government, ordered that Charkhandeh's registration and practice permit should be cancelled.
Additionally, he was fined $50,000, broken down to $10,000 for each allegation, and ordered to pay 75 per cent of the cost of the investigation and hearing.
Charkhandeh appealed the decision, and on Jan. 19, the CDSA appeal panel confirmed the decision of the hearing tribunal and upheld the order.
Charkhandeh appealed the decision of the appeal panel to the Alberta Court of Appeal.
A decision is not expected before 2025.
According to the Calgary and District Dental Society, a Dr. Shouresh Charkhandeh maintained private dental practices in both Edmonton and Calgary, where he practised dental sleep medicine.
He's scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 23.
Correction
A previous version of this article indicated Charkhandeh was charged with one count of sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party or causing bodily harm. That is an umbrella charge (272) under the criminal code. We have updated the article to clarify that the specific charge under that section is one court of sexual assault-threaten to cause bodily harm.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air India flight makes emergency landing at Iqaluit airport after online security threat
An Air India flight, en route from Delhi to Chicago, was diverted to Iqaluit International airport in Nunavut Tuesday morning following an online security threat.
Canada's inflation rate falls to 1.6% in September, smallest yearly increase since 2021
Statistics Canada says the annual inflation rate continued to slow in September as drivers paid lower prices for gasoline than they did last year.
Chilly weather hitting some parts of Eastern Canada while it's milder in the West
It will feel more like winter for some parts of Eastern Canada over the next few days, with single-digit highs and snow in the forecast.
Canada spat leads India newspapers as trade minister works to reassure business
As Canada's decision to expel New Delhi's top envoy and five other diplomats makes front page news in India, International Trade Minister Mary Ng is trying to reassure Canadian businesses with ties to the country.
Father of 10-year-old girl found dead in the U.K. called police from Pakistan to say he killed her
The father of a 10-year-old girl found dead in her home in England fled to Pakistan and called U.K. police from there to say he had killed her, a jury heard Monday.
Canadian court to consider when minors can be sentenced as adults
Canada's highest court is set to hear arguments on Tuesday on when a young person can be considered an adult for sentencing purposes.
Ontario government moving to restrict new bike lanes in municipalities
Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria says the provincial government is introducing legislation that would require municipalities to receive provincial approval before removing traffic lanes to install new bike paths.
Listeria outbreak linked to plant-based milk seems to be over: PHAC
The Public Health Agency of Canada says a Listeria outbreak linked to several plant-based milks appears to be over with no additional cases reported since August.
CREA lowers housing market forecast for 2024 amid 'holding pattern' for home sales
The Canadian Real Estate Association is downgrading its housing market forecast for the remainder of the year again, saying the Bank of Canada's interest rate cuts haven't spurred the gradual improvement it previously anticipated.