Bielefeld court sets trial date for Bad Oeynhausen facility abuse case

The Bielefeld District Court has scheduled the start of a trial for September 24 regarding the alleged deprivation of liberty and physical harm of residents at a disability facility in Bad Oeynhausen.

Four defendants face charges: three managers, aged between 53 and 62, and a 73-year-old psychiatrist from Jena. Investigations suggest that between 2014 and October 2019, residents of the Diakonie facility were frequently locked in their rooms or special rooms and subjected to physical restraints.

The managers are accused of ordering these measures to be carried out by staff in response to certain resident behaviors. The psychiatrist faces charges of aiding and abetting in 30 instances. Additionally, the defendants are accused of dangerous bodily harm involving the use of tear gas on certain occasions.