Andorra Prosecutors Appeal Light Sentence in Encamp Hotel Armed Robbery

Andorra's public prosecutors have asked the Superior Court to review a Court of Corts sentence against a young Encamp resident for an armed robbery at a hotel, seeking to classify prior incidents as attempted thefts and potentially increase the penalty.

The appeal hearing took place yesterday before the Superior Court, focusing on events from August 2025. Prosecutors argued that the original ruling took an "excessively formalistic" view by treating the man's actions at the Encamp tourist office and a property on Carrer Estret solely as damages and trespass, rather than attempted theft with force. They highlighted how the man left home at dawn with his face covered and carrying a hammer, first trying to access the tourist office, then entering the property, before reaching the hotel. There, he threatened the receptionist and took nearly €900.

This sequence, the prosecution maintained, demonstrated intent to steal money or goods even in the earlier episodes. They requested partial revocation of the Corts decision, urging the lower court to reassess the facts, which could lead to a longer sentence. Prosecutors had originally sought six and a half years in prison.

The Corts judgment convicted the man of four years in total—two firm and two conditional—for the robbery and related incidents. The defence opposed the appeal, defending the first-instance ruling. They contended that theft intent was not properly included in the accusation framework and that adding it now would prejudice the right to defence. The defence also argued that the prior acts showed no clear robbery purpose: the man smashed the tourist office window intending only damage, and no specific intent to take items was evident at the other property.

In his final statement, the accused acknowledged his behaviour, blaming excess alcohol and cocaine, and said he would accept the court's decision. The Superior Court must now decide whether the Corts classification suffices or if the earlier incidents warrant re-examination.