A Moroccan national convicted of sexually abusing and exploiting over 100 children in Spain has been arrested in Istanbul after evading justice for nearly five years, according to Interpol. The suspect, whose name remains undisclosed, had been on the run since 2019, when he fled Spain following his conviction on multiple charges of child sexual abuse and forced prostitution.
The arrest took place on April 20 and marks the culmination of a years-long international manhunt involving cooperation between Turkish authorities, Interpol, and Spanish investigators.
Authorities say the man operated as part of a wider network that preyed on vulnerable minors—mostly between the ages of 10 and 16—in the city of Tortosa. Much like the infamous grooming gang scandals in the UK, the network reportedly groomed children from troubled or disadvantaged backgrounds by pretending to offer friendship, before trapping them in cycles of abuse and exploitation.
While parts of the ring were dismantled as early as 2018, the main perpetrator slipped through the cracks—until now.
The case has reignited criticism in Spain over what some describe as a failure to address rising child exploitation crimes linked to unchecked immigration. Critics argue that political correctness and media silence have stifled honest conversations, particularly when victims are native Spanish children and the accused are foreign nationals with prior records.
Despite the heated debate, law enforcement hailed the arrest as a major breakthrough. For the families and victims left waiting for justice, it’s a long overdue step in holding the fugitive accountable.
