Arsonist faces more than seven decades behind bars

AN arsonist could spend as many as 78 years behind bars if convicted by a jury of his peers.

He stands accused of setting 24 forest fires in Mallorca and Menorca during the summer of 2012, putting human lives in jeopardy in at least three different occasions.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office accuses the man of starting 20 fires in Mallorca between June 12 and August 24 2012 and four more in Menorca in September, according to the indictment. One of the worst fires scorched 69 hectares in Calvia (Mallorca) and affected areas protected by law known on the Balearic Islands as Natural Areas of Special Interest.

The arsonist, whose identity has not been disclosed, is being charged with 21 counts of arson and three counts of reckless endangerment. If convicted, he could also be sentenced to pay a €110,880 fine and €1,321,721 in compensation.

A trial date has been set for September 1 and the jury is expected to reach a verdict as early as September 3.