Turnaround in the case of the eight hobby bowlers who are being held in custody on Mallorca on charges of arson: the judiciary granted them release on bail. A photo probably played a crucial role.
Palma – The cone brothers are free on Mallorca: The eight German tourists who have been in custody for almost two months on charges of arson on the Spanish Mediterranean island should go to the Centro Penitenciario in the north of Palma on Friday evening under great media hype leaving. After the news broke, around 15 journalists and five camera crews soon gathered in front of the prison. The release on bail of 12,000 euros had previously been granted at the request of the defense by a judge who had stepped in as a substitute, according to the Balearic judiciary. According to a recent judicial communiqué, the actually responsible investigating judge, who had previously refused release, was not available.
The young members of a Münster bowling club will be allowed to leave prison after, fortunately for them, the bail payments arrived in time for the weekend, as the German Press Agency learned from legal circles. Otherwise, they would have had to remain behind bars at least until Monday, since transfers are only made Monday to Friday. The release was not expected before 10 p.m. The “Mallorca Zeitung” was the first to reveal the forthcoming release.
German vacationers are said to have started a fire
The Germans, almost all of whom are under 30, are accused of starting a fire near the Ballermann on Playa de Palma on May 20 shortly after their arrival on the island. They are said to have thrown burning butts and alcohol from the balcony of their hotel room onto the thatched roof of the terrace of a restaurant below. The roof caught fire and two pubs, an apartment and parts of the restaurant were damaged. Two people suffered minor injuries.
Tourists have denied setting the fire since day one. Nevertheless, the judge regarded them as urgent suspects and had so far refused to release them on bail. Among other things, because he saw a risk of flight. According to media reports, he was on vacation on Friday.
The photo turned the tide in the case
The surprising turnaround is probably also due to the efforts of the young Spanish lawyer Maria Barbancho Saborit, who was recently hired to reinforce the German-Spanish defense team. In the past few days, she had, among other things, obtained a photo as exculpatory evidence, on which a smoking stranger can be seen on the balcony of the group’s neighboring room, who could also be the perpetrator in question.
This photo contributed to the fact that the public prosecutor’s office in Palma first spoke out in favor of the release of the young men baptized by the German media as “bowling brothers”, explained Barbancho Saborit. The Spaniard told German journalists on Friday with a satisfied expression that they knew they would be released. “We gave everything to ensure that the boys were finally released,” she emphasized. Your clients should fly home immediately after their release.
The Germans can count themselves lucky because of the turning point, because investigations in Spain can take a long, very long time. And the times in custody are often correspondingly long. In the case of crimes punishable by three or more years, pre-trial detention can last two years. And it can even be extended for a further two years under certain circumstances.
Some of the Germans already at large
The group originally included a total of 13 vacationers. One of them was released without conditions the day after the fire. He had been able to prove that he was in the shower when the fire broke out. Four other suspects were also allowed to leave the prison in Palma after about two and a half weeks after paying bail of 12,000 euros each. According to reports, they were allowed to leave Mallorca and fly back home.
The twelve Germans suspected of the crime are not completely off the hook yet. Because the investigation continues. If they are eventually charged and found guilty of negligent arson, they can be sentenced to between one and three years in prison in Mallorca, as Spanish lawyers explained at the request of the German Press Agency. In the case of intentional arson, prison sentences of up to six years are provided, it said. In the case of intent and endangering human life, the verdict could also be significantly sharper. dpa
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