Three men have been arrested by the Mossos d’Esquadra in Barcelona’s La Sagrera neighbourhood on suspicion of attempting to gang rape a 17-year-old girl. The incident allegedly took place on Saturday evening in a park located on Calle Dublín, within the Sant Andreu district.
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According to a report by El Caso, the events unfolded at approximately 7:30 PM. The three men reportedly approached the teenager and began to grope her. As the assault escalated, the minor managed to break free from her assailants and run to safety outside the park. Once she was clear of immediate danger, she alerted the Catalan police force.
Officers were dispatched to the scene immediately. They spoke with the victim, who provided a detailed account of the attack and clear descriptions of the three individuals. Police patrols began a search of the surrounding area and soon located three men who matched the descriptions provided. After confirming their identities, the officers arrested all three on charges of sexual assault.
Suspects Known to Police
The three men arrested are of Polish nationality and were already known to local authorities. Police sources indicate that the men had been living as squatters, known locally as okupas, in the area and all have existing criminal records. Their history with the law adds another layer to an incident that has unsettled the local community.
The district of Sant Andreu has been the focus of other serious criminal investigations recently. Last year, a man was sentenced to 15 years for a ‘no-body’ murder that took place in the same district, highlighting ongoing public safety concerns for residents.
A Separate, Brutal Attack in Montjuïc
This attempted assault comes less than a month after a separate and more severe sexual crime took place in another of the city’s popular green spaces. On 13 February, a 45-year-old woman was brutally raped in the Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera on Montjuïc hill.
In that case, the victim was walking her dogs when a man attacked her from behind, choking her before committing the rape. He fled the scene, leaving the woman on the ground. She managed to call for help and was subsequently taken to the Hospital Clínic for treatment. The assailant in the Montjuïc attack remains at large, and the Mossos d’Esquadra have since increased surveillance in the area to prevent further attacks and aid their ongoing search.
The two incidents, while unconnected, underscore a worrying trend of violent crime in Barcelona’s public parks. They also place a spotlight on the challenges faced by the Mossos d’Esquadra, who are tackling a wide range of criminal activity across the city, from a gunman’s 48-hour robbery spree to persistent scams like the rental car theft operation at the airport. The swift arrest in the Sagrera case offers some reassurance, but the search for the Montjuïc rapist continues to be a high priority for the force.
While the teenage victim in the Sant Andreu park was able to escape before the assault could escalate further, her experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk in the city’s public spaces. The Barcelona City Council and police are under pressure to ensure these areas remain safe for all residents.
