2 nursing home workers accused of torture

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SPIESEN-ELVERSBERG, Germany, June 20 (UPI) -- Two employees in a German nursing home are under investigation for allegedly torturing, abusing and killing residents, lawyers say.

Two patients have allegedly died at the hands of a 35-year-old caregiver and a 25-year-old employee, the lawyers say. During the last several months, the workers also allegedly tortured and humiliated 32 other residents, The Local.de reported.

No formal charges have been filed.

The home, located in Spiesen-Elversberg, is run by Arbeiterwohlfahrt, or Awo charity.

The two unnamed men were eventually reported by a group of 10 co-workers, who alleged they were previously threatened to keep quiet. Awo then went to state prosecutors, who have launched an investigation on suspicion of bodily harm leading to death.

"They are psychopaths," Awo head Paul Quirin said in a news conference Tuesday. Awo has hired lawyer Klaus John to pursue a separate suit against the two.

The 35-year-old caregiver allegedly attempted to perform surgery on a dying woman without anesthesia, which he confessed to, saying he thought he could perform the procedure better than a surgeon, John said. He is also accused of administering an overdose of morphine to a patient, causing them to die, the lawyer said.

The 25-year-old employee allegedly removed a resident's breathing tube and asked him how he liked not having any air. John said he also allegedly cut a patient on purpose because they wouldn't hold still during a shave.

The two also allegedly stole drugs and personal belongings from residents, which were found in a locker.