A Romanian court has revealed a surprising twist in the case of illegal care homes in Bihor county, finding no evidence that Viorel Pașca, leader of the Dumbrava Association, directly recruited vulnerable individuals. Instead, the court’s reasoning, published by G4Media, points to state institutions as having facilitated the placement of a “significant portion” of residents into the centers run by those accused. This contradicts initial accusations by DIICOT, Romania’s organized crime unit, which alleged Pașca was responsible for victim recruitment. The decision explains why a request to arrest Pașca was denied, suggesting a systemic issue rather than individual criminal action. The case centers around allegations of exploitation within these unregistered care facilities, raising concerns about oversight and the protection of vulnerable populations. The court’s findings imply a failure of public bodies to prevent individuals from being placed in potentially harmful situations. Further investigation is now focused on the role of state institutions in the scandal.