The Ertzaintza arrested a man in the early hours of Saturday in Astigarraga (Gipuzkoa) aged 59. According to the Basque police, he is suspected of repeatedly abusing his wife. The case came to light after a report from the University Hospital Donostia, where the 50-year-old woman had been admitted with injuries.
Police said the emergency department had reported a patient who stated that she had been repeatedly assaulted by her husband over the past five days. Doctors documented injuries that may have been caused as described. The woman said the man had tried to strangle her twice and had hit her with a blunt object. According to the account, visible injuries were found on her torso, arms and legs, and head.
After receiving medical treatment, a patrol team accompanied the woman to file a criminal complaint. The Ertzaintza gave no further details about the identity of the arrested man. The department responsible for communications was the Departamento de Seguridad of the Basque government, which confirmed the arrest and referred to the ongoing investigation.
The woman said that their shared home was in Torrevieja (Alicante province). The suspect worked as a professional driver and had been in Gipuzkoa for work. Police did not say whether previous incidents had been reported or whether protection measures were in place. No information was initially available on when the man would appear before the investigating court or whether interim orders would be sought against him.
In Spain, the offence of “maltrato habitual” (habitual abuse) in the context of domestic and gender-based violence is punishable by law. Following a complaint and the securing of medical evidence, police generally refer the case to the competent court; protection orders, restraining and no-contact orders, or remand in custody may then be considered. What steps would follow in this particular case remained unclear on Saturday.
The Ertzaintza stressed that the account of the alleged acts was based on the woman’s statement. The authorities made no assessment of possible motives or the background to the case. The Departamento de Seguridad initially gave no further details about searches, the securing of evidence or interviews.
The incident took place on the same day that police published the statement. It comes amid ongoing efforts by security forces in the Basque Country, to identify and document cases of domestic violence at an early stage and refer them to the justice system.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).