Brutal Robbery in Alaró: Palma Trial Begins — Victims Over 80

Trial for Brutal Robbery in Alaró Begins in Palma

At the upcoming hearing, seven people will sit in the dock in Palma. The case goes back to 2018: In Alaró, a group is said to have robbed the small restaurant Es Verger. Two women, both well over 80, were targeted by the perpetrators at the time. According to the indictment, they were bound and threatened with a knife to obtain a cash box allegedly containing around 50,000 euros.

As hard as this is to imagine, files and witness statements describe a night that many residents still have in mind—not only because of the brutality, but because something like this simply does not belong in this quiet corner of the island. The prosecutor demands a total of 45 years in prison, distributed among the seven defendants.

Roles distributed: main perpetrators and helpers

The indictment differentiates between three men who are considered the executing perpetrators and other accomplices who allegedly helped with the transport and concealment of the stolen goods. Some of the defendants are said to have organized the escape after the robbery and divided the money among themselves. The prosecution also demands financial compensation for the victims in addition to prison terms.

During the pre-trial discussion in court, there was a tense, almost stifled atmosphere. A few relatives of the women have announced their attendance; they want to follow the hearings. One could hear voices, faint whispers in the corridors of the courthouse—a feeling that hurts in the gut when you think of two elderly women who were robbed of their peace one evening.

What’s next?

The trial in Palma will last several days. Testimony, forensic expert opinions, and the usual legal wrangling over evidence are expected. The defense has also indicated it will not accept the accusations without a fight. For locals: The court is not far from the Paseo Marítimo; hearings take place in the usual courtrooms.

The verdict could have implications beyond the individual case. In the municipality of Alaró, people will be talking about safety questions for a long time: How do we protect older people? How do small businesses respond when such robberies occur? Some neighbors say they have since changed their routines—bank visits take place less often in public, cash is rarely stored openly anymore.

A trial is not a substitute for what happened, but it is an attempt to clarify responsibilities and restore the victims' rights. Whether the demanded 45 years in prison will become reality in the end will be decided by judges and evidence. For the two women who were victims at the time, the trial begins another chapter—one that will likely haunt the families for a long time.