Sao Paulo  - Police have arrested one of Brazil's most prominent fertility specialists on suspicion of sexually abusing more than 50 of his patients.

Roger Abdelmassih, 66, was apprehended Monday in his upmarket Sao Paulo clinic, the globo. com internet service reported. He is accused of having raped or sexually abused women patients while they were under anaesthetic or just recovering from surgery.

One former patient of the celebrity doctor, whose in-vitro fertilization clinic was regarded one of the best in South America, said he touched her intimately and kissed her. She had been too weak from the anaesthetic to defend herself.

Other patients also reported being touched or fondled.

Abdelmassih's lawyer, Jose Luis Oliveria Lima, rejected the accusations and said his client's detention was illegal. "He has met all requirements to await the trial in freedom."

Sao Paulo's medical ethics commission also initiated an investigation, but stressed the accused would receive every opportunity to defend himself.

Abdelmassih's clinic website says that he and his team had conducted more than 6,000 successful fertilizations by 2006. "I have always believed that a good society consists of good families," the father of five and grandfather of 12 said.

His clinic has treated many high-profile clients, including the family of Brazilian football icon Pele.

Prosecutors were informed of the accusations as early as last year. But local media reports said the accusations were not followed up as there had been no police investigation. (dpa)