Mental patients at the Neve Yaakov hospital were attacked

Dozens of hospital staff at the "Neve Yaakov," private medical mental health facility in the center, were arrested yesterday (Wednesday), on suspicion of involvement in attacks on helpless patients.

According to the suspicions, a number of employees physically assaulted patients, while other employees who knew of the events did not report them.

Recently reports started to gather at the Petah Tikva police station which raised suspicion that a number of employees used to beat hospitalized patients. In some cases it was necessary to transfer the patients for medical treatment in hospital. Numerous testimonies were collected and it was decided to raid the medical institution and arrest 13 people involved as well as questioning witnesses.

Yesterday morning Sharon area and Petah Tikva station police raided the medical institution, in collaboration with the Ministries of Social Affairs and Health. The police searched the place, confiscated property and detained 70 people.

13 employees and managers were arrested; following a hearing held in Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court the detention of 8 employees suspected of abuse was extended. The rest were released to house arrest.

Chief Rafi Vaknin, the officer in charge of the investigation, said that the police have enough evidence to establish the suspicion that employees abused inmates and institution managers reported no action. The researchers intend to collect more evidence, and more arrests are expected.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!