Guardia Civil Confirms 15 Rapes in Ceuta, Nabs Interpol Fugitive
Spanish authorities report 15 rapes in Ceuta following a mass illegal border crossing of 72,000 migrants on July 30, with courts remanding nine suspects to custody on various charges.
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Spanish authorities have confirmed a surge in sexual violence and serious crime following the mass illegal crossing of tens of thousands of migrants into Ceuta on July 30, with the Guardia Civil recording 15 rapes in the Spanish North African enclave since the border breach.
According to Brussels Signal, police sources have confirmed the most recent sexual assault occurred on the night of August 14, when three men were apprehended attempting to rape a 10-year-old girl.
During intensified border security operations, officers also detained a man wanted by Interpol on terrorism charges and other serious offences. The suspect remains in Ceuta awaiting possible extradition proceedings.
Government Disputes Scale of Sexual Violence
The extent of sexual crimes has become a point of contention within the Spanish government. Health Minister Mónica García stated that the city’s 24-hour crisis centre for women had treated only five individuals, a figure sharply contradicted by law enforcement.
Police sources informed Spanish media outlets that authorities are aware of 15 formal complaints and have made two arrests. The National Police confirmed to fact-checking site Maldita.es that they had registered six complaints filed by minors by August 11 alone.
Courts in Ceuta have remanded nine migrants who arrived on July 30 to custody, while ordering the expulsion of two others, the Andalusian High Court of Justice confirmed. Charges include sexual assault, burglary, assaulting officers, and drug trafficking.
Three cases involve sexual assaults, all perpetrated against migrant women who crossed on the same day. Two victims were minors, including one rape victim.
Interior Minister Orders Immediate Expulsions
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has directed officials to pursue immediate judicial expulsion for any migrant committing criminal offences in the city. He estimated that 72,000 people entered from July 30, with 70,000 returning to Morocco within days.
The Guardia Civil has separately identified approximately 1,800 unaccompanied minors and equipped them with identification bracelets. Some 1,500 officers are currently deployed alongside military troops, with agents recording 1,500 voluntary returns to Morocco in the week ending August 15.
Death Toll and Deteriorating Conditions
Reuters reported that at least 96 people died attempting the crossing. Between 5,000 and 8,000 migrants are estimated to remain in the city of 80,000, most sleeping rough on El Trampolín beach or on the city’s outskirts.
Hundreds of migrants demonstrated on August 16 demanding asylum rather than deportation to Morocco. Enrique Roviralta, head of Ceuta’s medical board, told Onda Cero radio that hospitals are treating increasing violence-related injuries including stab wounds and broken noses, alongside outbreaks of scabies and infectious diarrhoea.
Morocco Moves to Prevent Second Wave
Moroccan police arrested at least 111 people on August 15 as they attempted to reach Ceuta following online calls for a second mass crossing.
The European Commission is currently evaluating additional funding for Spain after receiving an initial needs assessment from Madrid.
With information from Brussels Signal
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