Supervised release for businessman Viorel Pașca, accused in case of unauthorised social care centres in Bihor
Judges at the Bucharest court ruled against detention of the care facility administrator, considering that residents were not living in degrading conditions, despite the facilities lacking authorisation.
Supervised release for businessman Viorel Pașca, accused in case of unauthorised social care centres in Bihor
Magistrates at the Bucharest court decided that Viorel Pașca can be investigated under supervised release, rejecting the proposal from the prosecution to place him in preventive detention. The decision concerns the investigation into care units for vulnerable persons in Bihor County, operated without approval from the competent authorities.
According to a ruling document obtained by G4Media.ro, the judge found that residents had access to furnished living spaces with adapted beds, furniture and sanitary equipment. They regularly received food, clothing, medical treatment and specialist assistance. In the event of death, legal procedures were carried out, including burial.
The court noted that these findings do not eliminate reasonable suspicions related to possible criminal conduct. The problems identified in the investigation – such as improper administration of medicines, insufficient numbers of qualified staff, poor monitoring or non-compliance with social care regulations – remain valid. Nevertheless, the concrete social danger is reduced, given that most of the persons housed were without stable residence, without family support networks or had been abandoned by relatives.
In these circumstances, the court took into account that the real solution for many of the beneficiaries was not transfer to an authorised centre, but a return to the street, without any protection.
From the evidence gathered by investigators, it appears that Pașca supervised operations at the locations in question. He contacted representatives of hospital units, local authorities and social assistance services directly to take in persons in difficulty. He determined what documents were necessary and under what conditions the transfer would take place, something confirmed by the accused himself during questioning.
Interceptions and other evidence indicate that once admitted, beneficiaries had their personal belongings, documents, mobile phones, cards and cash taken from them. They were restricted from communicating with the outside world, and the money was used to cover maintenance and care costs.
Source: G4Media