Chains, Sedatives, and Abandonment: Unveiling the "Houses of Horror" in Bulgaria
Unveiling Nightmarish Elderly Care Facilities in Bulgaria: 75 Residents Liberated from Abusive Conditions - Abused Residents Freed from Negligent Nursing Homes in Bulgaria: 75 Individuals Released Following Reports of Mistreatment
In the tiny village of Yagoda, not far from Stara Zagora, a shocking revelation of neglect and abuse has come to light. Elderly residents were discovered trapped in what can only be described as a living nightmare—two illegal nursing homes masquerading as rental properties to avoid scrutiny from authorities. A staggering 75 people have been freed from these "houses of horror."
Considering themselves above the law, the operators of these facilities left their vulnerable inhabitants in deplorable conditions, with numerous reports of physical and emotional torment.
Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev pulled no punches, labeling these conditions "houses of horror." Witnesses described some residents being chained by the feet, isolated, sedated, and under the influence of harmful sedatives. The elderly were crammed into rooms devoid of bedding, with window handles removed and doors double-locked—a clear disregard for fire safety regulations.
One woman was said to have been confined to her room for an astonishing four years, while another attempted to escape only to be caught, beaten, and left unconscious.
The aftermath has been grim, with 18 residents taken to hospitals, two of whom are in critical condition. The people of Bulgaria remain deeply shaken by this inhumane treatment of the most vulnerable members of society.
Bulgaria, the poorest nation in the European Union, has long been criticized for its subpar healthcare facilities, particularly psychiatric institutions. In recent years, fires have claimed the lives of several seniors, raising further concerns about safety and oversight.
The authorities have since conducted numerous inspections nationwide, revoking four operating licenses and vowing to strengthen regulations to ensure these horrific abuses never happen again. The investigation into this heinous case continues, with the possibility of further arrests and litigation on the horizon.
- elderly
- Bulgaria
- police
- Justice Ministry
- abuse
- Sofia
- neglect
- exploitation
The Sordid Details of the Abuses
- Forced Restraints and Isolation: The residents were subjected to forced restraints, sedation, and confinement, with window handles removed and doors double-locked to prevent escapes.
- Deprivation of Rights: Upon arrival, victims were stripped of their ID cards and mobile phones, effectively cutting them off from the outside world.
- Violence and Neglect: Numerous reports indicate residents suffered beatings, medication overdoses, and violent attacks, while being deprived of basic necessities like water, food, and proper bedding.
- Medical Negligence: Unqualified staff administered injections and provided substandard care, leading to dehydration, malnutrition, and severe heart failure among the residents.
- Deception and Evasion: To avoid inspections, the facilities were fraudulently reclassified as rental properties, allowing the abuse to persist for years unchecked.
- The police launched an investigation into cases of forced restraints, isolation, and violence against the elderly in Bulgaria, a member of the European Union, where unlicensed nursing homes exploited vulnerable residents.
- The Justice Ministry has been actively involved in the probe, reviewing incidents of deprivation of rights, such as the confiscation of ID cards and mobile phones, leaving elderly victims isolated and cut off from the outside world.
- In addition, the authorities are investigating claims of medical negligence, as unqualified staff administered injections and provided substandard care which resulted in severe heart failure, dehydration, and malnutrition among the residents.
- Evidence has also emerged suggesting that the facilities fraudulently reclassified themselves as rental properties to avoid inspections by the authorities, allowing the ongoing abuse to persist for years.
- The Bulgarian authorities fully intend to strengthen regulations to protect the elderly from such abusive practices in the future, vowing to hold the perpetrators accountable for their crimes and ensure that such incidents of neglect and exploitation never occur again.
