Full Breakdown
Spain’s Supreme Court Awards €2.5 Million to Wrongfully Convicted Moroccan Man
6/21/2026, 6:12:44 AM
The Court’s Compensation Decision
On 20 June 2024 Spain’s Supreme Court reversed a prior ruling of the National Court and ordered the state to pay €2.5 million to Ahmed Tommouhi, a 75-year-old Moroccan bricklayer. The compensation follows the overturning of his conviction for two rapes and one robbery in Catalonia, a conviction that had been annulled after new evidence proved his innocence.
Background and Judicial Error
Tommouhi arrived in Spain in 1991 and was sentenced that same year to 24 years in prison for the offences. He served 15 years before a victim recanted, and an expert biological test demonstrated that the DNA found at the crime scenes did not match him. The Supreme Court described the original Barcelona trial as an “unequivocal and qualified” judicial error, noting that the expert test had been ignored.
Key Figures
- Ahmed Tommouhi – Moroccan national, former bricklayer, the claimant.
- Spanish Supreme Court – Highest judicial body that issued the compensation order and identified the trial error.
- National Court – Earlier lower court that had refused compensation, maintaining that the original trial contained no mistakes.
- Forensic experts – Provided the biological evidence that excluded Tommouhi as the perpetrator.
Timeline of the Case
- 1991 – Tommouhi moves to Spain and is convicted of two rapes and robbery; sentenced to 24 years.
- 2006 (approx.) – After serving 15 years, he remains incarcerated while appeals continue.
- December 2023 – A victim withdraws the accusation; forensic analysis confirms Tommouhi’s non-involvement.
- 20 June 2024 – Supreme Court awards €2.5 million in compensation.
Data and Statistics
- Compensation: €2.5 million (? $2.87 million).
- Imprisonment: 15 years served.
- Original sentence: 24 years.
- Age at compensation: 75 years.
Why It Matters: Judicial Accountability and Human Rights
The ruling places Spain’s justice system under international scrutiny, highlighting the need for robust evidence-review mechanisms and independent appellate oversight. Legal analysts cite the case as a potential catalyst for reforms in forensic standards and compensation frameworks for wrongful convictions across Europe.
Official Statements & Responses
The Supreme Court characterized Tommouhi’s case as a clear judicial mistake, emphasizing that the trial had failed to consider decisive biological evidence. Tommouhi told reporters that “the justice system has ruined my life” and added, “they’ve stolen 36 years of my life.” Human-rights commentators noted that the compensation acknowledges “the financial, emotional, and personal harm suffered during the years of imprisonment.”
Criticism and Opposition
Human-rights groups argue that monetary awards cannot fully restore lost opportunities, relationships, or health. Legal experts stress that the case underscores the importance of continuous forensic review to prevent similar miscarriages.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The National Court previously asserted that the original trial contained no errors, a position contradicted by the Supreme Court’s finding of an unequivocal error. No additional factual discrepancies appear in the available sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The justice system has ruined my life,” — Ahmed Tommouhi, former bricklayer
- “they've stolen 36 years of my life.” — Ahmed Tommouhi
- “unequivocal and qualified” — Spanish Supreme Court
- “No amount of money can return the years that were taken away, but justice requires acknowledging the harm suffered by the innocent.” — Brussels Morning, Human-Rights News
What’s Next
Legal scholars anticipate that the decision will inform future compensation claims and may prompt legislative reviews of Spain’s appellate procedures and forensic evidence protocols. Ongoing monitoring by human-rights organizations is expected to assess the implementation of any systemic reforms.
