Spanish Court Acquits 21 Over Prayers Outside Vitoria Abortion Clinic

Overview

• The Criminal Court No. 1 of Vitoria on December 9 acquitted all 21 defendants accused of coercion for 2022 gatherings outside the Askabide clinic in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
• In a written ruling, Judge Beatriz Román said the group prayed visibly and at times audibly, stayed roughly 15 to 30 meters from the clinic, and neither blocked access nor hurled insults.
• The court determined there was no direct or ambient harassment and framed the conduct as an exercise of the rights of assembly and freedom of expression.
• Prosecutors and a private accuser had sought five-month prison terms convertible to community service, compensation of €10,000 to €20,000, and a restraining order, but the verdict can still be appealed to Álava’s Provincial Court.
• Clinic staff and patients testified the gatherings felt intimidating and disruptive, yet the judge found the evidence did not prove coercion, with El Correo describing the case as a first-of-its-kind trial in Europe that drew national attention.