Lorraine Williamson
The French authorities have extradited Allal El Mourabit, a man suspected of being involved in the murders of three elderly farmers in northern Spain. The extradition of Allal El Mourabit follows a European arrest warrant issued by a Spanish court, linking him to fatal attacks in Navarra and Lleida.
The case, which has raised serious concerns across the region, involves killings in Navarra and Lleida between late 2023 and early 2024. El Mourabit, arrested in France after a year-long manhunt, will now face a Spanish court in Tudela.
A series of murders in rural Spain
The three murders occurred within a short span of time. The first victim was killed in Tudela on November 22, 2023, followed by another attack in Ribaforada on December 21. The final murder took place on January 5, 2024, in Vilanova de la Barca, Lleida. All victims were elderly farmers, murdered while working in rural fields.
Spanish authorities were able to connect the murders through the discovery of a stolen vehicle. The car, originally taken from the victim in Ribaforada, was found near the site of the third murder. This strengthened the link between the incidents.
The arrest and extradition process
El Mourabit, who had been living in France, was apprehended in Béziers on March 25, 2024. His arrest followed an extensive search by Spanish and French law enforcement, including the Policía Nacional, Guardia Civil, and Mossos d’Esquadra. His extradition to Spain was made possible through a European arrest warrant issued by the Tudela Court, which is overseeing the investigation into the three murders.
The suspect has a history of involvement in terrorism-related crimes. Previously, he had been arrested following the 2016 jihadist attack in Nice, which killed 86 people. Despite his controversial past, including charges related to jihadist propaganda and attempts to travel to Syria, El Mourabit was eventually released after two years of pre-trial detention.
The investigation and El Mourabit’s history
Investigators suspect that El Mourabit used stolen cars to travel between the crime scenes and to evade detection. Authorities believe he may have survived in France by remaining in rural areas, without outside help. His arrest in March 2024 was not without incident. He resisted capture, leading to the use of a taser, which resulted in three officers sustaining minor injuries.
Following his extradition, El Mourabit will stand trial first in Tudela and possibly in Lleida. The Spanish authorities are continuing their investigation, with the suspect facing multiple charges related to these brutal attacks.