The Court of Balti municipality is examining the case of the chief doctor of the local Psychiatric Hospital, who is accused of raping 19 patients.

Lawyer Violeta Gashitsoi has told IPN that the victims, who are all persons with disabilities, had been supposedly raped by the institution’s head during several years. One of the women had in the period two epileptic fits. One woman died in unclear circumstances, while another one remained pregnant and the doctor took her to have a termination.

According to the lawyer, the man was placed under house arrest, but his home is situated on the hospital’s territory and he thus may exert pressure on the victims. It is suspected that the victims had been also tortured.

The lawyer also said that the prosecutors have evidence in all the 19 episodes. The psychiatric examination showed the doctor has discernment.