Man jailed for attempted murder after setting teenage girl on fire in Gran Canaria
A 20-year-old Moroccan man has been remanded in custody without bail by a judge in Gran Canaria, accused of attempted murder and causing serious injuries after allegedly setting a 17-year-old girl on fire in the La Isleta district of Las Palmas on 16th July.
The victim, who sustained severe burns, is currently receiving specialist treatment in the Burns Unit at a hospital in Seville. Her condition remains serious.
According to the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands, the suspect, identified as Abarrafía H., appeared before the Juvenile and Child Violence Court on Monday following an extension of his detention over the weekend. This extension was granted while authorities awaited further medical and police reports to clarify the circumstances of the case.
The incident reportedly took place in a property in La Isleta that is occasionally occupied by squatters. At the time of the attack, both the suspect and the victim were inside the building. The teenage girl had reportedly run away from a government care home just three days prior to the incident. She had been under the guardianship of the Canary Islands Government.
Following his two-hour testimony, presiding judge Tomás Martín ordered the suspect to be held in prisión comunicada — a form of custody where communication is allowed but bail is denied — citing the seriousness of the charges and the risk posed by the accused.
The case has sparked widespread concern and prompted political reaction, with criticism directed at far-right groups for using the incident to push a racially charged narrative. Women’s rights advocates have emphasised that gender-based violence transcends nationality, and that the focus must remain on protecting victims and addressing the root causes of such attacks.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities continue to examine the exact circumstances leading up to the tragic incident. Canarian Weekly will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
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