A high-profile investigation in Navarra involving the alleged sale of a minor girl has come to an end. The court in Tudela decided to close the case, citing a lack of convincing evidence, while the 14-year-old involved categorically denied all accusations. She stated that she was with her new family of her own free will, had not married the 21-year-old man, and was not forced to beg.
Investigators were unable to confirm any money changing hands—there was talk of €5,000 and a bottle of whiskey, but no documentation or witnesses were found to support this. After questioning the girl and finding no further evidence, the judge decided to drop the case. All protective measures for the minor were lifted, and she returned to her family. Now child protection services can only indirectly monitor the situation through social services.
How the case unfolded
The story began with an unexpected confession: the girl’s father told police he had handed his daughter over to a family from Mollerussa (Lleida) in exchange for money. The mother added that their daughter was supposedly living in France with her husband. Soon after, a friend of the mother provided Facebook photos that she claimed showed a wedding ceremony. The girl was spotted in a supermarket asking for food and was subsequently placed under temporary care by authorities in Catalonia. Five people were detained but released shortly afterwards.
However, during questioning, the girl herself stated that she had been living with relatives and that there had been no wedding—the photos, she said, were from another family celebration. Investigators found no evidence of a marriage, any money transfer, or instances of exploitation.
Cultural Context and Legal Challenges
Experts note that in some Romanian Roma communities, cash payments for marriage are seen as a traditional ‘share,’ and early marriages still occur, even though under Spanish law, consent for marriage is only possible from the age of 16. Still, tradition cannot be used as a justification for breaking the law. In such cases, gathering evidence is extremely difficult: financial transactions are informal, and the parties involved often avoid cooperating with authorities.
There are also questions about how fully the minor was informed of her rights and the possible consequences of her testimony. Protecting children in such situations is complicated by the fact that their words may be the only evidence, while family pressure and cultural expectations make it harder to objectively assess what happened.
What’s Next
Navarre’s prosecutor’s office is considering appealing the court’s decision. Meanwhile, the girl’s situation has once again fallen outside the focus of public agencies. This case has once again highlighted just how difficult it is to identify and prove cases of human trafficking and forced marriages, especially when minors and closed communities are involved.
