Eight Añaza Suspects Transferred to Mainland Prisons

The eight people linked to the Añaza group, who are currently held in custody, have been moved from Tenerife II prison to different prisons on mainland Spain. They are accused of kidnapping, torturing, and murdering Alberto González, and of seriously injuring his friend, León. Prison officials in Tenerife requested the transfers due to security concerns and the risk of trouble. A court in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which is investigating the case, approved the move. Such transfers are common in the Spanish prison system, often used to manage risks or prevent inmates with past conflicts from being in the same place.

Among those moved are Moisés Baute, Jonathan Martín, and Aarón Vargas, who are considered key figures in the criminal group. They were transferred in September, while the other five suspects were moved more recently. The decision to split up the defendants came after they ended up in the same prison as members of rival gangs at the El Rosario center, which increased the danger of fights.

This case caused a lot of shock in the Canary Islands. It centers on events that happened in late July last year. Police believe Alberto González, 34, and his friend León were abducted on July 28 from a car park in Santa Cruz. They were then reportedly held and repeatedly attacked in at least two different places – one in Güímar and another in Tenerife's capital. An autopsy showed that González died from a severe head injury, caused by the violence he suffered.

Investigators suggest the crime might have been revenge for an attempted "vuelco." This is a criminal term for stealing drugs from a rival gang. The Añaza gang, made up of at least thirteen people, had a clear structure and is believed to have been involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and forcing people out of their homes.

Arrests in the case began on July 30. On that day, Moisés Baute and Jonathan Martín turned themselves in at a Santa Cruz police station. They arrived with Alberto González's body in the boot of a car, and León, who was badly injured. Days later, on August 1, Aarón Vargas, identified as the group's alleged leader, was arrested. Seven more members were then arrested between September and October. Out of the thirteen people involved, eight were sent to provisional prison. They face charges including homicide or murder, serious injuries, illegal detention, and being part of a criminal organization. The other five were released but still face charges for hiding evidence and being involved in the organization.