Canary Islands prosecutor calls for legal reform over migrant boat crimes

Jaime Serrano-Jover, the Superior Prosecutor of the Canary Islands, has called for legislative reform to address legal gaps that hinder investigations into serious crimes committed during migratory journeys. During a presentation to the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Serrano-Jover highlighted that Spanish courts face jurisdictional limitations under Article 23 of the Organic Law of the Judiciary when crimes occur in international waters.

A specific case in Lanzarote involving an alleged gang rape on a migrant boat has necessitated requests for international cooperation from Morocco, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. The prosecutor warned that these legal hurdles also affect investigations into murders and other extreme violence, such as individuals or minors being thrown overboard.

In his report, Serrano-Jover also noted a concerning rise in violent crime within the islands. He reported that homicides and murders increased by 17.7% in 2025, with a significant concentration of such crimes in the province of Las Palmas. Additionally, sexual assaults against minors under 16 rose by 42% in 2025 compared to the previous year.