Takeshi Abe, the nation's leading hemophilia expert, pleaded not guilty Mar. 10 to professional negligence in connection with the 1991 death of a hemophiliac.

The victim was infected with HIV through contaminated blood products administered at Teikyo University Hospital in Tokyo under Abe's supervision. "I offer my deep sympathy (to the deceased), who was once one of our patients," Abe said. "But I can never be convinced of why I should be a criminal defendant held responsible for his death simply because I was the head of the internal medicine first division. "I have made my utmost efforts for our patients through my life and I have done nothing to be ashamed of as a doctor. I can not die before I clear myself of suspicion."

It was Abe's first trial hearing at the Tokyo District Court.