Romanian authorities relocated between 409 and 411 vulnerable persons from an illegal network of care homes in Bihor County following a DIICOT operation. According to the Ministry of Health, 18 patients were admitted to hospitals in Oradea and Beiuș, while the majority were transferred to General Directorates for Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC) across several counties.
Why are there discrepancies in the number of victims?
Official data on the number of rescued individuals varies by agency. The Ministry of Health reported that 411 assisted persons underwent medical and logistic evaluation. However, interim Minister of Labor Dragoș Pîslaru and the Romanian Police state the number is 409 vulnerable persons taken from the facilities.
- Ministry of Health: 411 patients evaluated and relocated.
- Ministry of Labor / Romanian Police: 409 vulnerable persons recovered.
How were the patients relocated from the Bihor facilities?
The Ministry of Health deployed mixed teams consisting of doctors, representatives from the National Authority for the Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and forensic medicine institutes. These teams worked alongside the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) and the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU) to manage the evacuation.
According to the Ministry of Health, the operation included medical triage, specialized psychological support, and secured transport. The distribution of the patients is as follows:
- Spitalul Județean Oradea: 9 persons remained hospitalized.
- Spitalul Municipal Beiuș: 9 persons remained hospitalized.
- DGASPC Bihor: 5 persons were taken into care.
- Other County DGASPCs: 388 persons were relocated across the country.
Doctor Gabriel Diaconu noted that the lack of visible filth—such as dirty sheets—does not necessarily mean a facility is providing humane care, highlighting the hidden nature of abuse in some care settings.
Who is Viorel Pașca and what are the charges?
Viorel Pașca managed the illegal network of care homes in Bihor. He was detained by DIICOT prosecutors. The legal charges against Pașca include human trafficking and the establishment of an organized criminal group. Official reports indicate that millions of lei were obtained through the exploitation of the victims.
The role of inter-institutional coordination
The Ministry of Health described the operation as a “coordinated response” due to the complexity of the cases and the extreme vulnerability of the victims. By involving both medical and social services, the state aimed to ensure immediate emergency medical care before long-term relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is currently caring for the victims?
Most victims are now under the care of various county-level General Directorates for Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC), while 18 remain in hospitals in Oradea and Beiuș.
What was the scale of the illegal network?
The network was large enough to house over 400 vulnerable individuals, operating under the leadership of Viorel Pașca.
Which agencies were involved in the rescue?
The operation involved DIICOT, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI), and ISU.
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