The trial in Tenerife has been postponed again: the accused in the rape case has refused the agreement.

The trial for rape, robbery, and assault, which was scheduled to take place this Monday in Tenerife, has been postponed again. The defense rejected the agreement under which the court was to issue a ruling with the consent of the parties. Now the hearing will take place on February 9 next year. This is the second such delay – the first time the meeting was postponed was in July last year.

The man faces 13 years in prison for crimes committed in May 2018 in southern Tenerife. He is also required to pay 33,500 euros in compensation for moral damages and the money he stole from the safe in the victim's apartment.

In July last year, the accused did not appear in court. His lawyer explained that the man had lost his documents and could not come from another city. The court set a new date. Yesterday, September 29, a meeting was to take place to approve the agreement between the parties. The lawyer and his client appeared via video link to confirm the agreement, according to which the accused pleads guilty in exchange for a shorter term. But when the judge asked if they confirmed the agreement, the lawyer refused.

Since the agreement was expected to be signed, witnesses and experts were not called. Therefore, a new hearing date had to be set. The judge emphasized that both the lawyer and the accused must be present in person, as it concerns 13 years of imprisonment. The judge also reminded that in July the process was disrupted due to the lack of documents of the accused, and asked if he now has everything necessary to come to the island in February. The lawyer answered in the affirmative.

Unfortunately, the victim has died, but not due to the attack she suffered.