Andorra Police Detain Young Man for Alleged Sexual Assault on 13-Year-Old Girl
Authorities arrested a man in his early twenties on suspicion of assaulting a 13-year-old girl he met online, but a judge released him conditionally citing insufficient evidence beyond her testimony.
Key Points
- Suspect in early 20s, recent Latinoamerican resident, arrested Friday after family complaint.
- Girl met man via social media; assault involved digital penetration, confirmed by medical exam.
- Judge granted conditional release Saturday, withdrew passport due to flight risk.
- Investigation ongoing with victim protection protocols; presumption of innocence holds.
Police in Andorra detained a young man in his early twenties on Friday afternoon on suspicion of sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl, following a complaint filed by the victim's family earlier that day.
The two reportedly met through social media, where they established some level of contact before arranging to meet in person. During the encounter, the girl allegedly resisted the man's advances, though her age means any consent would not be valid under Andorran law. Sources indicated the assault involved digital penetration, which medical examinations at a hospital—where the girl sought help shortly after the incident—helped substantiate.
Officers acted swiftly, arresting the suspect, a recent Latinoamerican resident who had lived in the principality for about a month. They transferred the case file to the on-duty Batllia that same evening. On Saturday morning, pre-constituted evidence was gathered from the victim to avoid re-traumatisation in future proceedings.
The man appeared before the Batllia later that day. While initial reports suggested possible pre-trial detention, the judge instead granted conditional release around 9pm, citing a lack of conclusive evidence beyond the girl's account. To mitigate flight risk—given his short time in Andorra and non-EU nationality—the court withdrew his passport and required him to present himself for all future judicial summonses.
Police described the matter as highly sensitive due to the minor's involvement, activating protocols to protect her identity and ensure proper victim support. The investigation remains open, with further inquiries planned to clarify the circumstances. The suspect retains the presumption of innocence pending resolution.