Barcelona court investigates 15 more men over child abuse ring

A Barcelona court which has already sent a man to face trial for the repeated rape and sexual exploitation of a 12-year-old girl over a two-year period is now examining two additional cases involving 15 more men for related and similarly serious offenses. 

Barcelona's investigating court No. 7 alleges the cases are connected to the initial defendant, for whom the public prosecutor is seeking a prison sentence of 107 years. 

At the time of the alleged crimes, the victim in the initial case was in the care of the DGAIA, the public child protection authority in Catalonia. 

The leader of the child abuse network and one other suspect have been held in pre-trial detention since April 2024. 

Five of the men are also being investigated separately for possession of child pornography. 

Three investigations 

The court launched its initial investigation after allegations of sexual assault, creation and possession of child pornography, inducement of a minor into pornography, and exposing a minor to pornographic content. 

The investigation phase concluded in January 2024 and that first case is currently awaiting to go to trial at Barcelona Court (Audiència de Barcelona). 

Based on further police reports received in connection with this main case, the judge has opened two additional proceedings, involving the same types of crimes but with different suspects. 

The second case involves 11 suspects, one of whom is identified as the leader of the network. 

In April 2024, the court ordered pre-trial detention without bail for him and another man. 

The remaining nine suspects were provisionally released and are required to appear in court when summoned. 

This case includes two underage victims: a girl (the same child involved in the original case) and a boy. 

The third case names six suspects, one of whom was also involved in the initial investigation. 

In November 2024, the court confirmed the pre-trial detention of the group's leader, already in custody since April. 

This third case uncovered at least five new victims after forensic analysis of electronic devices. 

The other five suspects in this third case remain free under judicial supervision and are subject to protective measures, including orders to stay away from the victims, bans on communication with them, and prohibitions on engaging in activities involving contact with minors. 

Minister to present inquiry conclusions in Parliament 

Catalonia's department of social rights has opened an internal inquiry to review the actions taken in response to the suspected sexual abuse of the 12-year-old girl living in the public care system, which first came to light in 2021. 

On Wednesday, Minister Mònica Martínez Bravo formally requested to appear before the Catalan Parliament to present the preliminary conclusions of the inquiry. 

In an official statement, the department said that "in light of the gravity of the events and in a commitment to transparency," the minister will report the findings in a parliamentary session, outlining DGAIA's internal review of the actions taken in response to the case. 

The aim of the inquiry is to thoroughly examine the timeline of events, identify any shortcomings or areas for improvement, and strengthen the protective mechanisms for children who are victims of sexual violence.