Judge Frees Ripoll Imam Detained for Sexual Assault on Minor Amid Political Controversy

Spain - Ekhbary News Agency

Judge Frees Ripoll Imam Detained for Sexual Assault on Minor Amid Political Controversy

A judicial decision in Ripoll has led to the release of the local imam, Allal el Kartit, who was recently apprehended on charges of sexual assault against a minor. While granted freedom, the judge imposed a strict restraining order, prohibiting the imam from coming within 150 meters of the alleged victim. This development has intensified scrutiny on the case, particularly in light of public statements made by the town's mayor.

The arrest, which occurred late last week, followed a complaint lodged by the parents of a 13-year-old girl. According to the minor's account, the imam allegedly subjected her to inappropriate touching while she was attending Arabic and Quranic classes at the Annour Mosque on a Saturday. The alleged incident reportedly took place on February 7th, when the girl was seated and the imam approached her from behind, purportedly touching her breasts and biting her cheek.

The imam, a man in his 40s who has led the Ripoll mosque for three years, vehemently denies the allegations. Presenting his defense before the judge, he offered a counter-narrative, stating he had merely placed his hands on the girl's shoulders to guide her to the appropriate classroom. He asserted that the alleged action occurred in a common area where other students were present, and that his intention was purely instructional.

The case took a significant political turn when Sílvia Orriols, the mayor of Ripoll and a prominent figure in the Catalan nationalist party Aliança Catalana, disclosed the imam's identity on social media platform X. Mayor Orriols criticized the regional Interior Department, claiming she was informed of the arrest by a Moroccan citizen rather than official channels, calling the situation "unbelievable and inadmissible."

Further escalating the controversy, Orriols also targeted the Annur Islamic Association, which manages the mosque. In subsequent posts, she accused the press of downplaying the story and asserted that an organization that "first hires a terrorist and then an alleged pedophile" is unfit to manage a place of worship. This statement alluded to the mosque's previous association with Abdelbaki es Satty, the ringleader of the 2017 Barcelona terror attacks, who had also worked at the Annur center.

In response to the mayor's public statements, the Ripoll City Council announced its intention to join the legal proceedings as a plaintiff. The council expressed its "deep displeasure" at not being officially informed by relevant authorities, citing the severity of the accusations and their potential social impact. They pledged to provide municipal legal, psychological, and social support to the victim's family.

The imam's defense lawyer, Joaquim Bech de Careda, lamented the public revelation of his client's identity, emphasizing the principle of presumption of innocence. He criticized the transformation of a judicial matter into a "political battle," arguing that it jeopardizes the rights of both the accused and the minor. "Let justice do its work without politically contaminating any judicial decision," he urged.

Meanwhile, the board of the Annur Association acted swiftly to distance itself from the imam prior to his arrest. They terminated his role as spiritual leader and Arabic teacher, demanding he vacate the mosque's facilities and cease all related activities. The association described this as a precautionary measure to protect minors and ensure community peace, pending judicial clarification.

The incident highlights the complex interplay of legal processes, community relations, and political discourse in contemporary Spain. The mosque's location in Ripoll, a town that has grappled with the aftermath of the 2017 terror attacks, adds another layer of sensitivity to the ongoing investigation and public reaction.

Ekhbary News Agency