A crime that shakes Figueres
The recent death of Kimberli, a 33-year-old transgender woman, has left the Figueres community in shock and with many unanswered questions. Stabbed by her ex-partner, the crime has highlighted the deficiencies in the judicial system and the protective measures for victims of gender violence.
The mayor of Figueres, Jordi Masquef, did not hesitate to express his outrage following the murder. “Something had failed,” he stated, referring to the chain of events that led to this tragedy. Just 24 hours before the attack, the aggressor had been convicted of mistreatment and had been issued a restraining order which he violated multiple times.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Kimberli was registered in the Viogén system, designed to offer protection to victims. However, no additional measures such as anti-violence bracelets were implemented, raising questions about the actual effectiveness of the system.
The events unfolded quickly: on Monday, a fast-track trial was held against Andrés R., who was convicted of mistreatment. A few hours later, he was arrested again for assaulting Kimberli. Despite the violent history and the recent conviction, the judge decided to release him due to the victim's absence from the court.
Kimberli had a scheduled appointment with a forensic expert to assess her injuries that same day; however, she did not attend. The reasons behind her absence are unclear: fear of the aggressor or lack of support? This decision would prove fatal just hours later when she was attacked in the street.
The spokesperson for the Espai d’Intercanvi Feminista de l’Empordà, Judit Romero, has also demanded clear answers on how the established protocol to protect Kimberli could have failed. The community is calling for a thorough review of the case and for significant changes in judicial procedures related to domestic violence.
As Figueres mourns the loss of Kimberli, it is crucial to reflect on the lessons learned. The lack of effective action in critical situations endangers lives and underscores the urgent need to reform existing mechanisms to ensure real and effective protection for all victims.
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