Andorra Rapist Released After 15 Years in Prison—the Longest Stay

A man convicted of repeatedly raping a vulnerable teenage girl has been released from La Comella prison after serving nearly 15 years—the longest continuous stay of any inmate there.

The man, now in his sixties, walked free on Friday morning, having completed his full sentence almost to the day. He was arrested in May 2011 after nearly three years of abusing the daughter of a work colleague, estimated at around 500 incidents, often three times a week. The victim, who had a mild intellectual disability recognised by Conava, was 15 when she arrived in Andorra in 2006 to live with her mother. The perpetrator had befriended the family, including using his own son to build trust, before starting the assaults.

The abuse began in late 2008 or early 2009, initially in the back of a van equipped with a mattress, and continued without restraint. He used condoms most of the time but not always, assaulting her by any means he chose while intimidating her through constant calls and messages. He warned her not to tell anyone, threatening harm to her and her mother, or the removal of his own son.

The crimes came to light almost by chance in May 2011, leading to his immediate detention. Prosecutors sought 11 years, but the private accusation pushed for 15, which the Tribunal de Corts and the penal chamber of the Tribunal Superior upheld in a final ruling on 18 January 2013. The sentence included permanent expulsion from Andorra, a 12-year ban on contacting the victim, and payments of €30,000 in compensation to her plus €6,000 to her mother, along with legal costs.

During his imprisonment, the man remained deeply isolated. Fellow inmates shunned him, preventing him from taking roles like orderly. He briefly worked in the laundry but quit after facing ostracism. He received no visits, spent long periods confined to his cell, and declined provisional release despite eligibility after serving five-sixths of his term. Automatic prison benefits shortened his stay by a few weeks.

His plans remain unclear. The sentence mandates lifelong expulsion, and he may head to Portugal, though this is unconfirmed. He left without apparent direction.