Andorra femicide suspect had been enrolled in a government programme to prevent violent behaviour since 2025

The 34-year-old man arrested on Wednesday in connection with the death of his partner, a 51-year-old woman, had been participating in an Andorran government programme aimed at preventing violent behaviour since 2025.

The information was confirmed on Thursday by Mariona Cadena, Andorra's Secretary of State for Equality and Citizen Participation, during a minute of silence held at Plaça Lídia Armengol in Andorra la Vella.

Approximately 200 people attended the gathering, including government officials, political representatives and members of the public, to condemn the suspected femicide and express their condolences to the victim's family.

According to Cadena, the suspect had voluntarily joined the government's Prevention and Promotion of Non-Violent Relationships Programme, where professionals had been working with him to address his behaviour.

“We do everything we possibly can to reduce these behaviours,” the Secretary of State explained, while acknowledging the limitations of institutional prevention programmes.

She also warned that participation in such initiatives cannot guarantee that an individual will never resort to violence.

“We cannot guarantee 100% that, once they leave our premises, they will not, unfortunately, commit a crime like the one that happened yesterday,” Cadena stated.

The revelation has raised questions about the effectiveness of prevention measures, particularly given that the suspect had already been receiving institutional support before the woman's death.

Social services had repeatedly attempted to reach the victim

The Andorran government also confirmed that specialist domestic violence services had made several attempts to encourage the 51-year-old woman to seek assistance, but had been unable to establish contact through the support programme.

Cadena explained that the woman had not agreed to attend the service, stressing that access to these resources is voluntary.

“We cannot pressure people, and we cannot judge them,” she said.

According to the Secretary of State, professionals must respect women's decisions while ensuring that support remains available whenever they are ready to seek help.

However, Cadena did not clarify whether the attempts to assist the victim were directly connected to the man now under arrest, citing the confidentiality surrounding the case.

“On several occasions, attempts were made to encourage her to attend the service, but it was not possible,” she reiterated.

The circumstances surrounding those interventions remain unclear as the criminal investigation continues.

Justice Minister confirms the victim had never filed a complaint against the suspect

Andorra's Minister of Justice and Interior, Ester Molné, confirmed that the victim had not previously filed a domestic violence complaint against her partner.

“There was no previous complaint from the victim concerning violence committed against her by this man,” Molné stated.

The minister explained that the police investigation remains ongoing and that, because the case is now under judicial authority, she cannot disclose further information about the circumstances of the killing.

Investigators are conducting the necessary inquiries within the 48-hour period preceding the suspect's appearance before a judicial authority.

Following that procedure, Andorra's Batllia, the country's court of first instance, will determine the appropriate judicial decisions and any precautionary measures.

Molné also noted that, in the absence of a complaint from the victim, no criminal proceedings had previously been initiated on that basis.

Government defends existing protocols despite the killing

The woman's death has renewed scrutiny of Andorra's mechanisms for detecting and preventing gender-based violence, particularly after officials disclosed that the suspect had been receiving support through a government programme.

Asked whether current procedures should be reviewed, Molné defended the existing system and argued that it was too early to determine whether changes were necessary.

She pointed to coordination protocols involving the courts, police and specialist support services, as well as the National Commission for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence, which meets twice a year to evaluate existing measures.

The minister was also questioned about the possibility of establishing a specialised court for gender-based violence cases, similar to those operating in other countries.

Molné acknowledged that the proposal “is not a bad idea”, although she maintained that Andorra's current judicial system already possesses the training and resources required to handle such offences.

Cadena, meanwhile, revealed that Andorra's specialist support service assists approximately 350 women each year.

“Behind every figure there is a woman, there is a story, and often there is suffering that remains invisible,” she said.

Social Democrats demand answers over possible failures in prevention

The killing has also prompted political calls for a thorough examination of the country's domestic violence prevention system.

Susanna Vela, a member of Andorra's General Council representing the Social Democratic Party (PS), called for a review of the protocols used to identify, prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

Vela expressed her shock at the woman's death and conveyed her condolences to the victim's relatives and loved ones.

“Harassment and abuse are intolerable, and reaching the point of femicide is even worse,” she declared.

The parliamentarian argued that authorities must establish what happened within the couple's relationship and determine whether institutional protection mechanisms operated effectively.

She insisted that the questions raised by the case deserve answers, both for the victim's family and for Andorran society.

Vela also renewed her demand for additional human and material resources for the justice system, reviving a longstanding proposal to establish a court specialising in gender-based violence.

The initiative has been advocated for years by women's rights organisations and political groups, including the Social Democrats, which argue that specialised judicial professionals could provide a faster and more effective response to such cases.

“The administration must provide all the resources that are currently lacking,” Vela said.

Around 200 people observe a minute of silence in Andorra la Vella

The minute of silence held on Thursday at Plaça Lídia Armengol brought together approximately 200 people, reflecting the shock and grief caused by the death of the 51-year-old woman.

Government representatives condemned the suspected killing and expressed their sympathy for the victim's family, while police and judicial authorities continued their investigation.

During the gathering, Cadena reminded the public that Andorra's free gender-based violence support helpline, 181, operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Women seeking assistance can also contact the service through WhatsApp on 606 181.

The criminal investigation remains open, and the precise circumstances of the woman's death have yet to be fully established.