Six arrested for abuse at Bulgarian nursing home

Six people have been detained in Bulgaria following shocking revelations of abuse at a private nursing home in the village of Yagoda. According to Reuters article published in Kathimerini, authorities say elderly residents and people with mental health conditions were beaten, drugged, and unlawfully confined.

Deputy Labor Minister Ivan Krastev described scenes of “constant physical abuse,” including patients tied up or locked away in poor conditions. A police raid on Friday led to five arrests, with a sixth person detained on Sunday. Charges include unlawful imprisonment, physical violence, and failure to assist those in danger.

Eleven of the 75 residents were hospitalized, while others were relocated to state care or returned to families. A second illegal facility in Govedartsi was also shut down.

Testimonies from patients describe years of mistreatment, with some left hungry and wounded. The facility reportedly charged €509 monthly per room despite the squalid conditions.