More than 70 women were kept in private prison and tortured with punishments and sedatives in a clinic in Paraná

More than 70 women were kept in private prison and tortured with punishments and sedatives in a clinic in Paraná

Owner of the establishment was arrested in Terra Roxa. According to the Public Ministry, inmates were forced to work, were left without visitors and were sedated to lose consciousness.

By Mayala Fernandes, g1 PR and RPC Cascavel

During Operation Aurora, the owner of the establishment was temporarily arrested, but the clinic continues to operate until the transfer of patients occurs gradually.

The Public Prosecutor's Office investigated the forced use of sedatives called 'danone' to render inmates unconscious.

The institution acted as a therapeutic center for drug addicts and also housed women with disabilities among those admitted.

In a statement, the clinic denied the allegations of false imprisonment and mistreatment, stating that it offers a routine based on "humanization, love, affection, respect and professionalism".

The Vida Nova Medical Clinic, in Terra Roxa, in the west of Paraná, kept around 72 women hospitalized, many of them against their will and prevented from leaving the place. According to the investigation, the inmates were subjected to punishment, forced labor, suspension of family visits and forced sedation.

The manager and owner of the clinic was temporarily arrested on Tuesday (15), during Operation Aurora. His father was also arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, but was released after posting bail. The identities of the two were not disclosed.

The clinic was not closed, and the women remain hospitalized there. According to the Public Ministry, there were no conditions to transfer all patients to other establishments at once and the removal will be done gradually.

In a statement, Clínica Médica Vida Nova reported that it is collaborating with the investigations and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and the safety of the women hosted. The clinic denied inhumane practices, false imprisonment or any conduct outside legal parameters.

"Today we welcome an average of 70 women, offering a routine based on humanization, love, affection, respect and professionalism, with the work of a multidisciplinary team", says the statement.

The therapeutic center worked with drug addicts and was exclusively for women. According to the MPPR, among the inmates there were people with disabilities.

According to prosecutor Gabriela Hanna Pereira, responsible for the case, there is evidence that some women were taken to the clinic without any legal authorization.

"There are reports that victims were captured by unidentified persons and delivered to the clinic without any court order or prior medical request," he said.

The investigation also points to evidence that those responsible for the clinic applied punishments, suspended family visits and subjected women to forced labor.

The Public Prosecutor's Office also investigated the forced use of sedative medications — nicknamed "danone" in the clinic — applied to render inmates unconscious. There are also reports of omission of medical assistance and threats to keep women silent during inspections by inspection bodies.

Operation Aurora was conducted by the Terra Roxa Public Prosecutor's Office, with support from the Umuarama Regional Center of the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (Gaeco) and the Technical Support Center for Execution (Caex).

In addition to the arrest warrant, the Court authorized searches at five addresses, the clinic's headquarters, the homes of those being investigated, a rural property and vehicles.

The court also granted access to data from seized electronic devices. The material collected will be analyzed by the MPPR to continue the investigation and determine the responsibility of all those involved.