Andorra man jailed 12 months for border threats, insults to police

Andorra's Tribunal de Corts has sentenced a 40-year-old resident to 12 months in prison for offences committed against police during his arrest at the border in August 2022. He must serve four months immediately—accounting for time already spent in custody—while the remaining eight are replaced by an eight-month medical treatment programme to address addictions to alcohol and other substances.

The ruling, issued this Monday, also includes a €1,000 fine and an order to pay court costs. Prosecutors had requested a 20-month unsuspended term, but the court opted for a balanced approach after the defence argued for recognition only of time served.

The incident occurred when officers stopped the man as he walked into Andorra from La Seu d'Urgell, suspecting he was under the influence. He had been evading a prior night-time prison confinement order for several days. At the border checkpoint, he resisted, issuing death threats and directing sexually charged insults primarily at a female officer from the first responding patrol.

Judges convicted him of a continued minor offence of breaching a sentence, serious resistance and disobedience to authority, cocaine consumption, unconditional threats, and a minor sexual harassment charge. The defence acknowledged the facts during the April trial, linking his actions to intoxication. The man told the court he becomes a "demon" under the influence but insisted he no longer consumes drugs and was receiving mental health treatment for other issues. Psychiatric assessments supported suspending most of the penalty for rehabilitation.

The sentence reinforces his ongoing recovery, which reports describe as progressing well four months after the events, though sustained treatment is required.