The trial began on Monday at the Provincial Court of Álava and has begun to declare defendants for belonging to a network of prostitution of minors who were in the custody of the Provincial Council of Álava in the Sansoheta center of Vitoria. Three of them state that they “did not know” that young people who prostituted were underage. All three have acknowledged that they had sex and affirmed “repentance” and have assured that they will not repeat the crimes again. As a result, the penalties have been reduced and an agreement has been reached with the Public Prosecutor’s Office. A quarter accepts what has been done and declares it to the judge on Wednesday, when it is known whether or not the agreement is reached.

The trial will continue until 3 October with five public sessions. On the contrary, the seven victims will declare their doors closed on Wednesday and Thursday. In total, they have applied for a 214 year penalty against the defendants.

The topic came to light in 2016. The complaint was made by boys and girls aged 14 to 17 living in the Sansoheta Center. Among other things, corruption, sexual abuse, exposure to child pornography and crimes against public health are charged to the 10 defendants, according to the Berria newspaper. Many of these men were downtown workers.