Cosmetic cowboy Dr Reza Ahmadi has case delayed due to lack of witness evidence

A Hawthorn cosmetic health practitioner has had his case delayed as the prosecution scrambles to make contact with more than 40 witnesses.

Prominent cosmetic surgeon Dr Reza Ahmadi was charged over allegedly performing surgeries during lockdown in breach of chief health officer directions. Picture: David Geraghty

A Melbourne cosmetic health practitioner named in the ‘cosmetic cowboy’ scandal has had his case delayed as the prosecution scrambles to contact more than 40 witnesses.

Dr Reza Ahmadi fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April 17, facing more than 50 charges of operating illegally throughout the Covid-19 lockdowns in Melbourne.

The Victorian Department of Health have alleged Dr Ahmadi, who was based in Hawthorn, continued to perform non-essential procedures throughout the Covid-19 lockdowns, despite the restrictions in place.

In court on Wednesday neither party was ready to proceed with a contest mention as numerous witnesses have been uncontactable or declined to give a statement.

Dr Reza Ahmadi is practising as a general practitioner after he was banned by the Medical Board of Australia from undertaking cosmetic procedures. Picture: MyClinic Werribee Village.

Prosecution lawyer Russell Kennedy told the court if witnesses were unable to be contacted to make statements or give evidence, they would proceed relying on the medical records from the Hawthorn Day Surgery clinic.

Dr Ahmadi’s lawyer told Magistrate David Starvaggi the case was “not ready for hearing and barely ready for contest mention.”

“The evidence we’ve been given is the prosecution’s interpretation of medical records,” he said.

Dr Ahmadi will return to court in July for a contest mention. Picture: David Geraghty

The court heard the surgery was still in process of winding down, after liquidators had been put in place in June 2023.

Dr Ahmadi has since been practising as a GP after he was banned by the Medical Board of Australia to undertake any cosmetic procedures.

The parties requested for both Dr Ahmadi’s matters and the allegations against the clinic to be adjourned for the same date.

Mr Starvaggi agreed and adjourned the matter for a last contest mention on July 11.

The cosmetic cowboy scandal revealed the practices of a group of cosmetic surgeons in 2021.

An investigation alleged many practitioners were not adequately warning patients of the potential risks of cosmetic surgery.

Thousands of complaints were made against cosmetic surgeons and practitioners around the country, highlighting the need for safety checks and balances to be constantly conducted by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.