The first session of a case in Alicante was interrupted yesterday when the hearing was suspended. The owner of a local travel agency stands accused of defrauding more than 160 customers through the sale of flight tickets, and a new hearing is scheduled for next week. The trial did not proceed as planned because forensic lawyers participated in a strike, but the defense for the accused, the prosecution, and the special prosecutor’s office discussed a compliance agreement intended to avoid the original two week-long trial window.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the case carries heavy penalties, with demands of seven years in prison for fraud and nine years for a separate serious charge. In addition, the office seeks damages totaling 100,000 euros for 57 customers who were affected by the alleged scheme.
Security concerns surrounded the courtroom proceedings as the hearing was interrupted for a second time. The defendant, who had appeared at the courthouse, exited through a side door claiming that he felt his personal safety could be at risk. Authorities reported that the concern centered on potential threats to physical integrity.
Evidence presented by investigators indicates that the incidents date back to the summer of 2019. In that period, the defendant led a travel service focused on routes between Spain and the Americas. He is accused of selling air ticket reservations to clients and collecting payment, while providing documents that were supposed to confirm those reservations. The accused allegedly could not secure actual tickets from any airline, leaving the victims unable to complete their planned trips.
The alleged scam revealed itself when several travelers attempted to use their tickets for a long-awaited trip home for the Christmas season, only to discover that their reservations did not exist. This discovery prompted widespread anger among those affected, some of whom suggested that another travel agent acting on behalf of the defendant’s spouse may have been involved.
In the unfolding legal process, prosecutors emphasize the impact on consumers who trusted the agency for international travel arrangements. The case has drawn attention to the responsibilities of travel agencies in securing legitimate bookings and providing verifiable documentation. Legal observers note that the outcome will hinge on the ability to establish a clear pattern of conduct, the timing of payments, and the actual availability of the tickets at the time of purchase. The parties also evaluate the reliability of the documents issued to customers and whether any airline obligations were circumvented by the defendant.
Observers point out that a compliance agreement could offer the chance to resolve the matter without a full two week trial, provided the accused accepts certain conditions and demonstrates accountability for the alleged losses. The court will determine the viability of this path in the upcoming session, while the public continues to follow the case as it unfolds across the courtroom and related administrative proceedings. Further updates will clarify the status of the charges and any agreed terms from the negotiations, and how they might affect the victims seeking restitution. [Source: Prosecutor’s Office, court filings and statements by involved parties, as reported by local authorities].