BTN News: A 24-year-old man has been apprehended by the Ertzaintza, the Basque police force, for his alleged involvement in a sexual assault that occurred earlier this week. The incident took place in an occupied basement space located in the Coronación neighborhood of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of Álava. The suspect was taken into custody and has now been brought before the judiciary. The authorities have released limited information regarding the ongoing investigation, but the case has sparked significant concern within the local community, highlighting a disturbing trend in recent days.
According to Iñaki Gurtubai, the City Councilor for Public Safety in Vitoria, the assault occurred within the aforementioned occupied space, where other individuals were reportedly present alongside the alleged perpetrator. Gurtubai made these remarks during a public condemnation of another unrelated sexual assault case, involving a 35-year-old man who had attacked his former partner and is currently incarcerated. The councilor emphasized the seriousness of this latest incident, noting that the Ertzaintza is conducting a thorough investigation, not just into the suspect, but also into the actions of all those who were present during the assault.
In the past ten days, Vitoria has seen a troubling rise in reported sexual assaults, with five cases coming to light. This latest arrest brings the total number of detentions related to these incidents to four, though one of the reported cases has not yet led to any arrests. Gurtubai expressed his strong hope that the judicial system will respond with the full force of the law against those responsible for these heinous acts.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the local government has not yet activated its protocol against sexual violence for this particular case. The reason for this decision lies in the current inability to communicate with the victim, who remains deeply traumatized by the events. The victim gave her testimony to the Ertzaintza on Tuesday afternoon, but officials have been unable to proceed with further steps due to her emotional state.
This wave of violence has deeply unsettled the residents of Vitoria-Gasteiz, raising concerns about the safety of the community. As the investigation unfolds, the public is closely watching to see how the authorities will handle these alarming cases and whether justice will be served swiftly and effectively. The call for stringent legal action underscores the urgency felt by many, as they demand accountability for these serious violations of human rights and personal safety.
