The Civil Guard has arrested two men in Orihuela and Murcia for the kidnapping and rape of a disabled woman from Santomera. The victim, who suffers from an intellectual disability, was approached by the men when she went out on 19 January to throw away the rubbish. She said that they put her in a car and took away her mobile phone before driving her, against her will, to Orihuela.

She was transferred to a house where she was offered cigarettes and a drink after which she began to feel indisposed, begging the detainees to take her back to her home. The victim then lost consciousness and had only vague memories until the following morning.

When she woke up the house was empty so she left, flagged down a driver who took her to the police. She was subsequently examined by the medical staff of a hospital in Murcia who confirmed that she had suffered a sexual assault.

The investigation, Operation Hakea, is being undertaken by the Murcia Civil Guard in collaboration with the Orihuela Local Police and has so far resulted in the identification, location and detention of the two suspects, on charges of illegal detention and sexual assault.