The Civil Guard arrested a 45-year-old man in the Lleida town of La Seu d’Urgell as part of operation Opikum, linked to a case involving the sexual assault of four Ukrainian refugee children who had fled the war in their homeland. The victims, boys and girls under the age of 12, disclosed to their families the abuse they endured, prompting the investigation and the subsequent arrest. The suspect is described as a resident of the port city who had settled among families displaced by the Ukrainian conflict. He earned their trust by spending time alone with the children, which allowed him to abuse them in quiet moments.
The case began at the end of September when a woman connected with a local association that assists displaced people and refugees reported concerns that a fellow resident in the same building might be abusing the children. The association’s report triggered a broader police inquiry, which then involved the Civil Guard barracks in Cartagena. Investigators learned that the detainee had established a pattern of seeking proximity to the mothers and gaining access to the children when adults were not present.
Following the mother’s alert, other residents and mothers of minor children who were acquainted with the suspect also came forward, presenting complaints alleging multiple sexual assaults. Local social services and law enforcement coordinated to document the allegations and preserve evidence as the probe progressed. The emerging narrative illustrated a man who exploited trusted relationships to reach the children and commit offenses in moments of alleged privacy.
Attempted flight to Lleida
When investigators intensified their pursuit, the man attempted to flee. He left Cartagena for Catalonia in the hope of evading capture and leaving the country. Yet authorities traced connections that tied him to the municipality of Lleida and the nearby area of La Seu d’Urgell, suggesting an intent to cross regional or national borders.
During the arrest, four mobile devices and sunglasses with hidden cameras were seized and are under forensic examination. Visual evidence from these items is being analyzed to determine whether recordings exist and, if so, what they may reveal about the offenses.
At the time of capture, the suspect, the seized items, and the related proceedings were placed under the jurisdiction of the Court of Inquiry in La Seu d’Urgell, which ordered the suspect’s remand in custody. The case is expected to advance to other authorities as appropriate, with the likelihood of transferring the matter to the relevant jurisdiction for further proceedings related to the crimes under investigation.
The Opikum operation will continue as investigators scrutinize the confiscated technological storage devices for any files connected to the case. If it is found that recordings exist of the victims or other minors, prosecutors may pursue further actions based on the evidentiary record and applicable law.