The prosecutor’s office seeks prison terms totaling more than 15 years for the defendants, who are accused of sexual assault and harassment of a law enforcement officer. The incidents allegedly took place while two Civil Guards were stationed at the Molina de Segura outpost in Murcia, with one officer said to have held a position above the other. The special prosecutor’s office pushes for sentences as long as 22 years. The case on trial began on May 16 at the First Regional Military Court, with eight days of sessions planned, and is said to cover conduct from 2011 to 2015.
The United Civil Guard, represented by the AUGC, consistently supported and advised the victim and publicly addressed the matter at a press conference. The year 2016 marked a turning point when the then general director of the Corps was suspended from duty and the accused was reassigned from their post, as reported by officials familiar with the case.
“Bitch, I’m going to ruin your life, get off that chair,” the sergeant allegedly told a subordinate, according to the interim decisions documented by the District Military Court prosecutor, which this newspaper obtained. It was a moment that underscored an ongoing climate of coercion. The allegations indicate a pattern beginning in December 2013, with claims of abuse continuing for two years under the command.
The prosecutor notes that the accused person worked in a unit specializing in gender violence. The Armed Institute was described as addressing acts of touch, threats, sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual access, and persistent patterns that were difficult to quantify exactly.
“No more games”
The defense described a disturbing routine in which the officer allegedly followed the woman home and pressured her to engage in sexual acts. When the accused altered course to avoid following the supervisor, the alleged harassment escalated with threats to send her home if she did not comply. Reports indicate coercion in changing rooms and pressure to submit to sexual contact, including attempts to force a sexual encounter in the dressing area and threats to expose or harm the victim. In one instance the episode reportedly included pressure to terminate a pregnancy and threats tied to the victim’s job and reputation.
The prosecutor states that the officer planned night patrols on Fridays, often between ten and six in the morning, and would appear at the victim’s home during non-work hours. The victim was overwhelmed by calls and messages, with the officer allegedly calling and texting dozens of times daily, using demeaning language. These communications included phrases that demeaned the victim and accused her of infidelity.
There was a reported incident in April 2013 when the sergeant allegedly coaxed the victim to ride along on patrol, but instead drove to a field, stopped the vehicle, and attempted to coerce sexual activity. When the victim resisted, she was allegedly struck and taken back to the barracks, where the episode left her shaken and tearful.
In another account, the sergeant reportedly entered the agent’s workspace, revealed semen on a handkerchief left on the desk, and boasted about the encounter. The sequence of events further depicts an atmosphere of intimidation and control within the unit.
Shame and fear
A few days later the outpost’s lieutenant commander noticed something was amiss and questioned the victim about the incident; she later reported feelings of shame, fear, and depression. The lieutenant accompanied the agent to Murcia Command to seek guidance, but the victim initially recanted the claim, crying and showing extreme nervousness. In subsequent days, she apologized, citing fear and the stigma associated with reporting such acts. The attacks continued and gradually affected the entire functioning of the unit, resulting in complaints about command operations at Molina Gender Based Violence Office. Eventually the agent was dismissed, and the sergeant reportedly told the victim, a chilling expression that underscored the threat to her safety.
The victim sought mental health support beginning in March 2015, filed the formal complaint in January 2016, and, as of 2023, non-commissioned officers face trial on charges of sexual assault.
“I will ruin your life”
Among the most chilling episodes cited by the prosecutors occurred in July 2012 after the victim learned she was pregnant. The sergeant reportedly told the victim that she could not keep the pregnancy and demanded she end it, allegedly threatening to ruin her life and showing hostility toward any pregnancy-related documentation. The agent refused to terminate the pregnancy for moral and religious reasons, and the sergeant moved to coerce her by asserting control over her body, including threats and harassment. The victim ultimately miscarried or terminated the pregnancy at a clinic after emotional distress. The sequence included additional coercive acts and threats, underscoring a pattern of intimidation and control that contributed to the case’s severity.
Overall, this account reveals a sustained campaign of coercive behavior and harassment directed at the victim, with the prosecutor detailing multiple incidents and the impact they had on her personal and professional life. The trial continues to address the extent of responsibility and the appropriate penalties for the alleged offenses as the court weighs the evidence.