A scandal has erupted in Spain after a court dropped the investigation into the alleged sale of a minor girl from Navarre to a family in Lleida for the purpose of marrying her to a 21-year-old man. Despite widespread public outcry, there have been no legal consequences for those involved so far.
According to case files, the story involved a 14-year-old girl whom police believe was handed over by her parents to another family in exchange for money and alcohol. The entire case was marked by suspicions of forced marriage, something the law in Spain has prohibited for over a decade. The girl was later found begging at the entrance of a supermarket in Les Borges Blanques.
Despite the collected evidence, the judge decided to close the case. The reason: a lack of proof—no trace of money transfers or official marriage records. Investigators could not confirm the transaction or any marriage between the minor and the adult man. In such cases, where minors are involved and the evidence is unclear or missing, it is extremely difficult to bring charges to court.
The court’s decision sparked widespread public debate. Many are questioning whether the victim’s belonging to the Roma community—which has faced prejudice and social isolation for centuries—played a role. There is also doubt as to whether, under different circumstances, the investigation would have been closed so quickly. The situation has once again highlighted the issue of stigmatization and discrimination faced by vulnerable groups.
