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A German doctor was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for illegally issuing mask-free certificates to more than 4,000 people during the coronavirus pandemic, BTA reports.

The district court in the southwestern city of Weinheim confirmed that the doctor was convicted of "issuing false health certificates" to people from all over Germany, most of whom she had never met or examined.

During the trial, the accused claimed that wearing masks was harmful to people's health.

In addition to serving time in prison, the woman was also banned from practicing medicine for three years and ordered to pay 28,000 euros - the total amount she took to issue the documents.

Her office assistant was fined 2,700 euros.

A female doctor was caught behind the wheel with 2.22 parts per million of alcohol

The doctor intends to appeal, her lawyer announced.

Dozens of her supporters gathered outside the court in Weinheim to protest the sentence and the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.

Last year, Germany lifted requirements to wear masks in indoor public places, but they remain mandatory on long-distance trains, in doctors' offices, hospitals, nursing homes and in some regional public transport vehicles, the AP noted.

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