75 Elderly Rescued from Illegal Nursing Homes in Bulgaria

A part of the individuals found themselves in a critical health condition, says Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev at a press conference, writes Bulgaria's national news agency BTA. The so-called "health centers" for the elderly are located in a village in central Bulgaria, where the owners rented out rooms for over 4,000 kronor per month. According to Bulgarian authorities, the residents were allegedly beaten, bound, and sedated. Five people have been arrested and an investigation into kidnapping, violence, and abuse has been launched. In a statement from the prosecution, an elderly woman had not left one of the facilities in four years. Another, who tried to escape, was caught and severely beaten. According to the Ministry of Justice, several of the rescued were sedated, bound to their feet, and locked in dirty rooms without bed linen. Bulgaria, the EU's poorest country, is often criticized for its inadequate care facilities. The shortage of elderly care homes has led to the emergence of illegal operations, writes AFP.