The judge at the Tribunal de Instancia de Jaca ruled on 18 September 2026 that the sole suspect in the case concerning the fire at Las Peñas de Riglos should remain at liberty. She rejected the application by the Gobierno de Aragón to remand the man in custody or, alternatively, set bail at 100,000 euros. The decision followed a closed hearing in Jaca attended by all parties to the proceedings, at which the judge questioned the suspect again.
The existing conditions remain in force. These include surrendering his passport; the man must also report to the authorities at set intervals. Further restrictions may be imposed by court order. No criminal responsibility has been established, and the investigation is ongoing.
Procedurally, the decision follows an earlier ruling by the Audiencia Provincial de Huesca on, which had ordered his detention, because the evidence against the man was considered insufficient to justify continuing his pre-trial detention. According to the reasoning, video and photographic material shows the accused near the suspected point where the fire started, but does not establish any specific act. Against this background, the court considers the less restrictive measures proportionate.
The Gobierno de Aragón, which is acting as a private prosecutor, had justified the renewed detention by citing an increased risk of flight. In the regional government’s view, the accused’s reported change of residence to the province of Castellón affects the effectiveness of the restrictions. The judge did not accept this argument and considered the existing reporting and security requirements sufficient.
The Guardia Civil is continuing its investigation into the cause of the fire under judicial supervision. The decision from Jaca concerns only the question of provisional release and says nothing about any later finding of guilt or acquittal. Further appeals against the decision to maintain release subject to conditions are possible. Politically, the case remains sensitive in Aragón under regional president Jorge Azcón , as the consequences of the fire for affected municipalities and the public purse still need to be addressed. Compensation, preventive measures and responsibility are likely to remain disputed for some time.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).