The trial of Father Fran, the priest from Vélez-Málaga accused of sexually assaulting four women after sedating them, begins this Monday at the Provincial Court of Málaga. He faces 72 years in prison.
The long-awaited trial of Francisco Javier López, better known as 'Father Fran', the priest from Vélez-Málaga accused of drugging and sexually assaulting four women, commenced this Monday at the Provincial Court of Málaga. The priest, who has been in preventive detention since September 2023, is charged with four counts of sexual assault, as well as charges of causing injuries and revealing secrets for allegedly recording the victims while they were unconscious.
According to the indictment, the assaults occurred between 2014 and 2018 during trips the priest took with a group of friends. The victims, all women in his circle of acquaintances, were allegedly sedated with drugs, leaving them unconscious and unaware of the assaults. The discovery of the crimes came to light when the priest's then-partner, with whom he lived in Melilla, found a hard drive containing the recordings. She reported the find to the Diocese of Málaga and later to the police.
After the diocese learned of the allegations, Father Fran was transferred to parishes in Yunquera and El Burgo, in the Sierra de las Nieves region, before his arrest. The case has shocked the local community and raised questions about the church's handling of abuse allegations.
During the trial, which is expected to last several weeks, the prosecution will present evidence including the recordings found on the hard drive. The defense is expected to argue that the acts were consensual and that the priest's partner fabricated the accusations. However, the prosecution maintains that the victims, due to the effects of the sedatives, could not have given consent.
In a statement ahead of the trial, the Bishop of Málaga, José Antonio Satué, publicly apologized for the case, stating,
'We deeply regret the pain and suffering caused to the victims and their families. The diocese will assume its responsibilities if the court finds the priest guilty.'The bishop also emphasized that the diocese had taken early action by transferring the priest and offering support to the victims.
This case is reminiscent of other high-profile clerical abuse cases in Spain, such as the case of the 'Pederast priest' in Granada, where a priest was convicted of abusing minors. However, this case stands out due to the use of sedatives and the recording of the assaults. Legal experts note that the 72-year prison sentence sought by the prosecution underscores the severity of the charges.
The trial is being held behind closed doors to protect the identity of the victims, who will testify via video link to avoid facing the accused directly. The court has also imposed a gag order on the details of the recordings.
If convicted, Father Fran faces a lengthy prison term, and the Diocese of Málaga has indicated it will compensate the victims financially. The verdict is not expected for several weeks, as the court hears testimony from forensic experts, the victims, and the accused.
The case has drawn widespread attention in the province of Málaga, with local residents expressing shock and dismay. Many are looking to the church to take a stronger stance on accountability. For now, the judicial process moves forward, with the hope that justice will be served for the four women who have suffered in silence for years.
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