Held for Two Months on a Balcony and Forced to Beg: The Ordeal of a Man in Elda

He was held for two months in a house in Elda. Most of the time, he was on a balcony, suffering assaults and threats from his captors. Additionally, he was forced to beg in Novelda to settle a fictitious debt.

The five alleged kidnappers, four men and a woman aged between 18 and 39, with family ties, have been arrested by the National Police. Three of them have been imprisoned, as confirmed by the Provincial Police Station of Alicante.

The events date back to the summer of 2024, when the victim was assaulted by three of the now-detained individuals during the Elda festivities. After filing a complaint for the injuries sustained, he began receiving threats and coercion to withdraw the complaint and prevent the attackers from facing a judicial fine. They even demanded 1,000 euros to forget the incident and leave him in peace, according to the investigation.

Seeking safety, the victim moved to Torrevieja. However, in October, three of the detainees traveled there, located his new residence, and resumed the coercion. They demanded the payment of money, and the victim agreed to pay them 700 euros in hopes of resolving the conflict.

In November 2024, one of the relatives appeared again in Torrevieja and took the victim back to Elda, telling him that "until the debt was settled, he would not return to Torrevieja." He was held in the perpetrators' home for two months, spending most of the time on a balcony, where he suffered continuous physical assaults, insults, and humiliation.

During his time there, his personal documentation was taken, and various purchases were made in his name, accumulating a debt of over 4,000 euros. At times, he was taken to a shop in the city of Novelda, where he was forced to beg.

The confinement and mistreatment suffered by the victim led to a deterioration in his health. He was admitted to a hospital with a diagnosis of respiratory sepsis, multiple trauma from the assaults, dehydration, acute diarrhea, and other similar conditions. After fifteen days, he was discharged.

The Judicial Police Brigade of the National Police of Elda-Petrer launched an investigation to gather evidence, identify those involved, and clarify what happened. Once the five perpetrators were located, a coordinated operation was carried out with the Citizen Security Units, resulting in an entry and search.

The individuals involved were arrested and brought before the Guard Court of Instruction of Elda, which ordered the imprisonment of the three main culprits. Four of them had previous records for different offenses, according to the police.

The National Police conducts training actions aimed at raising awareness and educating the public about the detection and prevention of crimes related to deprivation of liberty, human trafficking, and exploitation in private settings.

These initiatives are directed at professionals in the social and health fields as well as neighborhood and educational groups, with the aim of identifying warning signs in people who may be coerced or held against their will.

Furthermore, confidential reporting of such incidents is encouraged through official channels, ensuring police support and victim protection. Citizen collaboration and continuous training are essential tools to prevent situations of abuse and exploitation from remaining hidden.