The report prepared by the Central Forensic Genetics Unit of the Mossos d'Esquadra Scientific Police has certified that biological samples matching the victim's profile were found on the blade of the knife used to kill Abdelmajid Benali (the Campclar murder). This same expert report also indicates that biological samples matching the profile of the alleged murderer, MAP, were found on the knife's sheath .
In light of this new evidence, Álvaro Machado , lawyer for Vosseler Abogados representing the victim's family, reaffirms his request that MAP be tried before the Jury Court for the murder of Abdelmajid Benali.
"Furthermore, the aggravating circumstance of using a disguise and premeditation exists, as it was planned in advance," notes Álvaro Machado. The Prosecutor's Office already agreed to Vosseler Abogados' request.
It should be noted that murder is a type of homicide that occurs under more serious circumstances and with greater intent on the part of the perpetrator. For this reason, the penalties for murder are more severe than those for manslaughter.
THE FACTS
MAP, 19 years old and in pretrial detention since March 13, 2024, is the alleged perpetrator of the fatal stabbing of Abdelmajid Benali in Campclar, Tarragona, on Sunday, March 3, 2024.
The death of Abdelmajid Benali occurred around midday on the Rambla de Ponent in the Campclar neighborhood of Tarragona. As Abdelmajid was leaving the internet café located on the Rambla, the alleged perpetrator, MAP, a 19-year-old, stabbed him multiple times. The assailant then fled on foot towards the N-340 highway. Eight days later, on March 11, 2024, MAP turned himself in to the police and was brought before a judge.
TELEPHONE RECORDINGS
Four months after the Campclar murder, on July 17, 2024, the Court of Instruction No. 1 of Tarragona provided Vosseler Abogados with the reports of the wiretaps carried out on the MAP family's circle. The Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) were recording these personal telephone communications from and in the Mas d'Enric penitentiary center in Tarragona , where MAP is incarcerated.
These wiretaps revealed that MAP's family, and MAP himself, fully assumed responsibility for the fatal stabbing of Campclar. Thus, in these recordings, the suspect's uncle can be heard saying: " My nephew 'tasabó' ('murdered' in Caló) a Moor ."
Also, how MAP's mother explained to a relative what happened: "I'm going to tell you the truth, you know, he didn't want to do it like that, aunt, it happened, he went crazy (...) He said to him: 'Do you remember me? From last night?', and the Moor said yes, and the kid answered, ' yes, well take that, I told you where I saw you, I'd kill you, right? '."
In another conversation, MAP himself admits his guilt in the Campclar crime: “I’ll get 15 years, from 10 to 15 years…. If the fingerprint turns up, well, I’ll take it.” And referring to a fellow prisoner, he comments: “They found the same knife on him as they did on me… a kitchen knife that clearly broke just like mine… when they show the murder weapon to his mother, she says she’s never seen it in her life; what else was she going to say, that yes, it’s my kitchen knife?”
