Preventive Prison Ordered in Osorno Hospital Torture Case
Two of the four individuals formalized in connection with the alleged torture of a coworker at the Osorno Hospital have been ordered to remain in preventative prison. The charges stem from incidents involving a hospital employee with autism spectrum disorder (TEA).
The prosecutor, María Angélica de Miguel, detailed the charges, based on article 150, letter A of the Criminal Code, which addresses the abuse of power by public officials resulting in torture.She emphasized the severity of the alleged acts, describing them as “one of the moast degrading…intimidating, and denigrating” actions possible against a person.
The case arose after videos surfaced showing the victim struggling with one of the accused. De Miguel clarified that a previous complaint filed in 2020 involved injuries sustained by the victim, resulting in a conditional suspension of proceedings against one of the accused for less serious injuries. However, she stressed this was “a totally diffrent fact than what it is today,” and that the Prosecutor’s Office did not have access to the recently publicized videos until thay were released by the media.
A separate 2024 complaint regarding degrading treatment was also filed, but lacked accompanying video evidence and was unable to be substantiated at that time, though the case remains open and is connected to the current proceedings.
The four individuals were arrested by the Sexual Crimes Research Brigade (Brisex) of the Los Lagos PDI between Thursday and Friday. The Ministry of Health has requested the dismissal of all four officials involved, who had remained on duty at the hospital prior to the request.
The prosecutor’s office is investigating whether the Osorno base hospital was aware of the images before they became public.
