Spain's Supreme Court has ruled that the state must pay €2.5 million ($2.87 million) in compensation to Ahmed Tommouhi, a Moroccan man who spent 15 years in prison for rapes he did not commit. The court determined that Tommouhi was the victim of an “unequivocal and qualified” judicial error during his original trial in Barcelona.
Background of the Case
Ahmed Tommouhi, now 75, moved to Spain from Morocco in 1991 to start a new life. He worked as a bricklayer but was arrested and convicted later that year for two rapes and one count of robbery in Catalonia. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison, of which he served 15 years before being released on parole. Tommouhi maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration and launched a long-running campaign to clear his name.
In December 2025, Tommouhi was finally cleared of the last charge against him after a victim came forward to state that he was not the attacker. The Supreme Court noted that the original trial failed to consider an expert biological test that excluded Tommouhi as the perpetrator. This oversight constituted a clear judicial error, the court said.
Impact on Tommouhi's Life
Tommouhi told reporters on Friday that the justice system had ruined his life. “The money wouldn’t give me back my health or my youth,” he said. “They’ve stolen 36 years of my life.” The compensation award, while significant, cannot undo the decades of suffering and lost opportunities.
The Supreme Court’s ruling reversed an earlier decision by the National Court, which had refused to pay Tommouhi compensation on the grounds that there had been no mistakes in his original trial. The higher court disagreed, stating that the failure to consider the exculpatory biological evidence was a fundamental error.
Legal and Social Implications
The case highlights systemic issues within the Spanish justice system, particularly regarding the handling of forensic evidence. Tommouhi’s ordeal underscores the devastating consequences of wrongful convictions, not only for the individual but also for public trust in the judiciary. The compensation award is one of the largest of its kind in Spain, reflecting the severity of the miscarriage of justice.
Tommouhi’s legal team welcomed the ruling, emphasizing that it acknowledges the profound harm caused by the original conviction. The case has also sparked discussions about the need for reforms to prevent similar injustices in the future, including mandatory consideration of DNA evidence and improved oversight of trial procedures.
