Man arrested at Alicante-Elche airport for alleged sexual abuse of minors

The National Police have arrested a 34-year-old man at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport in connection with an investigation into the abuse and sexual assault of minors. The man was preparing to board a flight to Marrakech and was intercepted during routine security checks at the terminal.

The incident took place last Friday, 28th August, at around 7:00 p.m., when the passenger, of Moroccan origin, was identified during security checks at the airport. Upon verifying his documents, National Police officers discovered an outstanding arrest warrant issued from Logroño for sexual abuse and assault of minors, according to official sources.

These arrest warrants had been issued approximately a year earlier and remained valid for ten years. At present, it remains unclear whether the detainee intended to leave Spain to evade justice or if his trip to the North African country was part of a routine journey with a planned return. Consulted sources stress that there is no evidence to suggest he was attempting to flee, but airport security identified that he was wanted before he could board the flight to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the neighbouring country, where he is originally from.

The arrest occurred during passenger checks conducted by National Police officers stationed at the El Altet airport terminal. These checks, which can be performed routinely or randomly, are used, among other objectives, to locate individuals with outstanding warrants.

Following his arrest, the man was taken into custody, and the proceedings were transferred to the Judicial Police investigation group of the National Police at the airport, who were responsible for carrying out the relevant checks and processing the case. On the morning of Saturday, 29th August, the detainee was brought before the Court of Instruction number 4 of Elche to continue with the judicial procedures for the pending claim.