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ZAGREB: Hundreds of people rallied in the Croatian capital on Saturday to commemorate a psychiatric patient whose death, allegedly due to excessive force by nurses, shocked the country.<\/p>\n
Four male nurses from a Zagreb psychiatric hospital were arrested last weekend under suspicion of aggravated murder of the 32-year patient, Kristian Josip Peris, who was admitted to the hospital in a psychotic state.<\/p>\n
The nurses are suspected of \u201cusing excessive force in violation of medical standards,\u201d prosecutors said.<\/p>\n
Eight minutes of surveillance footage leaked online showed medical staff restraining the patient, whose limbs were strapped to the bed.<\/p>\n
The footage showed staff punching him in the chest, pressing down on his body and holding a pillow over his face. Several other health care workers, reportedly including one doctor, were also present.<\/p>\n
The video sparked public outrage, fueling debate over the treatment of psychiatric patients, while Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic called the incident a \u201cmurder.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered at a square in downtown Zagreb at a rally organized by a student-launched initiative and observed eight minutes of silence for Peris.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis must never be forgotten or things will only get worse,\u201d 20-year-old student Lea told AFP as she lit a candle among dozens of others.<\/p>\n
A health ministry inspection found \u201cirregularities\u201d in the case and is continuing, according to Health Minister Irena Hrstic.<\/p>\n
The head of the hospital and its governing board have resigned.<\/p>\n
Peris\u2019s family announced another commemoration rally for him at Zagreb\u2019s main square on November 21.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n