Bulgaria Rescues 130 From Illegal Elderly Care Homes Amid Abuse Investigation

Bulgarian authorities have rescued over 130 elderly people from illegal adult care facilities characterized by appalling and abusive conditions, including residents being beaten, bound, sedated, and locked in rooms without bedding or access to the outside world. The facilities were disguised as legitimate health centers or tourist accommodations, with fabricated consent documents found during inspections. Justice Minister Georgy Georgiev described the homes as "houses of horrors" and confirmed that some victims were in critical condition, with many suffering from dehydration, malnutrition, and severe neglect. Five individuals have been arrested, and investigations into kidnapping, violence, and negligence are ongoing. These illegal homes have emerged due to Bulgaria's lack of adequate elder care facilities and ongoing property fraud targeting vulnerable populations. Officials have pledged to continue cracking down on such operations to protect the country's most defenseless citizens.