Overview

• Investigations by Procura di Siracusa and Carabinieri di Noto led to the arrest of twelve socio-health operators and a psychotherapist on charges of physical and verbal abuse.
• Prosecutors documented slaps, punches, threats and the use of excessive restraints on a psychiatric patient among 20 victims in two Pachino residential care homes.
• Official findings allege the managing cooperative prioritized profit over structural and hygienic standards while unqualified staff administered invasive pharmacological therapies.
• Three facilities were placed under seizure—including one linked to the same cooperative—with all residents transferred to other care settings for their protection.
• Pre-trial measures include prison for five suspects, house arrest with temporary bans from care activities for seven, and reporting obligations for four.