In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a decision by the Canary Islands High Court of Justice has ordered pre-trial detention for three men believed to be involved in a sexual assault case. The court acted at the request of the prosecutor, citing a perceived risk of flight by the defendants, who are aged 48, 28, and 25. The court also prohibited their departure from the country and confiscated their passports as a precautionary measure. The three defendants, two of whom are described as German and one as Italian, are currently held in custody.
The investigation centers on alleged crimes of sexual assault and aggravated rape that authorities say may have occurred in a hotel setting. The defendants have been in prison since March 18, following their arrest. The timeline of events traces back to March 16, with the alleged incident occurring after the victim, a 21-year-old woman, encountered three men temporarily staying in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria who were employed by a port-related company.
According to the available report, the individuals invited the victim to participate in an activity that she initially refused but later agreed to after persistent insistence. Hotel surveillance footage showed all four entering the building around 11:30 a.m. The victim, according to her complaint, regained consciousness to find herself in a compromised state and in a condition suggesting sexual assault. She reportedly left the room in partial clothing and sought help two hours later at the hotel reception at about 1:40 p.m. Hotel staff assisted her and alerted the National Police. The officers arrived promptly to take a statement and then proceeded to the floor where the men were staying, where they were subsequently arrested while remaining in a state of undress in the rooms.
Investigators are examining whether the victim was administered a chemical substance that could have impaired her consciousness. Biological samples were collected for analysis and sent to the Canary Islands division of the National Institute of Toxicology in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for testing. An alternative theory under consideration is that excessive alcohol consumption may have contributed to a reduced level of alertness.
Officials from the Court of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, specifically the investigation department, conducted statements from the three suspects on a Saturday and ordered that all three remain under pre-trial detention. The case continues to unfold as authorities work to determine the truth of the allegations and the full extent of any criminal liability.