The case surrounding a group of German tourists detained in Palma centers on a bar fire near the guest accommodations they were using. A top court authority in Palma ordered unconditional imprisonment for one of the suspects on Thursday, with no option for bail, while setting bail for others and requiring a civil liability bond tied to the damages claimed. The court also referenced a separate, substantial bond aimed at restitution claims. These actions followed a prior round of detentions and ongoing legal proceedings related to the incident.
Early yesterday morning, thirteen German visitors were moved from the Palma Prison Center to the Via Alemangia Courts, under the jurisdiction of the Eighth Investigation Court of Palma, which is handling the case. During their official statements, the group claimed they did not start the fire at the bar in view of the magistrate. A number of the defendants indicated a willingness to cooperate, providing answers to the questions posed by the court and other parties involved.
Following the initial appearance on May 20, the defendants altered their legal strategy. Previously, all had declined to testify; on Thursday, they chose to respond to the record questions raised in the proceedings by the various lawyers and officials present. The testimonies varied but shared a common thread that the arson event occurred alongside the hotel where the group was staying, and that the incident may have been accidental rather than intentional.
Several accounts described the circumstances as accidental, with some members of the party tentatively suggesting they were volunteering firefighters from Münster, located in North Rhine-Westphalia. They asserted their presence on site was to aid in evacuations and to support local emergency responses. The judge weighed these statements carefully as the evidence developed, mindful of the broader implications for public safety and accountability in a crowded tourist area.
By that afternoon, the judicial outcome took shape: eight of the thirteen persons faced prison without bail, while one was released and four others were required to post 12,000 euros each to avoid immediate imprisonment. Additionally, a civil liability obligation of 500,000 euros was imposed on all thirteen defendants jointly, aligning with the court’s assessment of damages and the need to secure restitution for affected parties. The measures reflect the tension between swift preventive actions and the rights of the defendants as the case proceeds. These details are based on the official court record and subsequent proceedings in the Palma court system.