After a fire in Mallorca: imprisoned cone brothers pay half a million euros

Twelve Germans are in custody on suspicion of arson in Mallorca.

After a fire in Mallorca: imprisoned cone brothers pay half a million euros

Twelve Germans are in custody on suspicion of arson in Mallorca. While they are waiting for an expert opinion on the origin of the fire in a restaurant, they are willing to cooperate with the Spanish court - and transfer the required joint and several liability.

According to their lawyer, the families of the 13 German vacationers suspected of causing arson in Mallorca have pooled 500,000 euros for joint and several liability. Lawyer Raban Funk from Stolzenau in Lower Saxony announced that the money would soon be deposited with the Spanish judiciary. The suspects, twelve of whom are still in custody today, wanted to confirm their willingness to cooperate, the lawyer wrote in a statement.

The Spanish investigating magistrate had set the sum. According to media reports, the Germans are men between the ages of 24 and 29 who belong to a bowling club in Münster. Last Thursday, the judge lifted the detention of four of the Germans against payment of bail of 12,000 euros each. The young men would probably be released shortly as soon as the funds transferred from Germany on Friday were received by the Spanish judiciary. This was delayed because of the Pentecost holidays, the lawyer wrote. A 13th suspect was released without conditions because he could prove that he was in the shower during the fire, as the "Mallorca Zeitung" reported.

It was initially unclear how long the other eight suspects, for whom the judge refused to release them on bail, would have to remain in custody and whether they would be charged. Pre-trial detention in Spain can last months, but also up to four years. The young Germans have since received a visit from two pastors and a representative of the German consulate, as reported by WDR.

The suspects are accused of starting a fire near the shooter on May 20. They threw burning butts and alcohol from the balcony of their hotel room onto the thatched roof of the terrace of a restaurant below. The roof caught fire and two pubs, an apartment and parts of the restaurant were damaged. Two people suffered minor injuries. The young people deny setting the fire.

The lawyer said that an expert report on the origin of the fire commissioned by the Spanish investigative authority was not yet available. However, this report will "reveal further, objectively exculpatory moments," wrote the lawyer.