National Police officers facing 10 years in prison for the alleged sexual abuse of illegal immigrants

 trial has started against five National Police officers facing 10 years in prison for the alleged sexual abuse of illegal immigrants at the Internment Centre for Foreigners (CIE) in Malaga. One of the accused was the Head of Security at the centre, where foreigners without papers wait to be deported, until July 2006.

It seems that in 2006, the officers in charge held parties in which they abused their authority to sexually abuse women at the centre in exchange for special food and drink, perfume, tobacco or being allowed to make phone calls to their families.

The victims claim the officers actually engaged in sexual intercourse with the women. They also say they were threatened and insulted if they refused.

From their testimonies, it appears that the parties started late at night and ran into the early hours of the morning, and alcohol flowed freely.

Their statements are supported by the discovery of alcohol bottles and condoms when the arrests were carried out, and security camera recordings which show how the officers take six women out of the cell.

One photo provided as evidence shows an officer with his shirt unbuttoned in the company of one of the female interns.

According to a report, during one of these parties, the male interns attempted to escape, although they were stopped by the officers, who then returned to their fun.

The case against four other officers and a lawyer who allegedly failed to prevent these activities has been dropped.

The arrests took place in July 2006 and three officers remained in prison on remand for several weeks. The five accused are facing up to ten years in prison. One of them did not work at the centre but attended the parties.

Most of the plaintiffs have been deported from Spain but their statements will be read during the trial.