Bucharest Court of Appeal to rule on judicial control for suspect in illegal care home case

The Bucharest Court of Appeal is set to decide on Thursday whether Viorel Pașca and four family members will remain under judicial control. This follows an appeal by the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) against a previous ruling by the Bucharest Tribunal.

The tribunal had previously ordered the release of Pașca and his family members, placing them under judicial control instead of pre-trial detention. DIICOT had sought their preventive arrest after detaining six individuals, including Pașca, his wife, and three sons, along with another associate, in connection with illegal care homes in Bihor county.

Investigators are examining allegations of an organized criminal group, continuous human trafficking, and complicity in the crime. The case involves hundreds of individuals reportedly brought from hospitals and social assistance departments across multiple counties and housed in properties in Holod, Ceica, Tinca, and Lăzăreni. These individuals were allegedly vulnerable, with mental disabilities, unable to defend themselves or express their will freely.

While the tribunal judge acknowledged that the accommodation spaces met basic living, hygiene, and cleanliness standards, and that residents received food, clothing, medication, and medical access, she also noted significant deficiencies. These included issues with treatment administration, a lack of qualified staff, insufficient supervision, and non-compliance with social services regulations. The judge also referenced witness and beneficiary statements regarding administrative procedures for deceased individuals in the centers managed by the "Dumbrava" Association.