A notorious Malaga prison filled with international gangsters needs serious upgrades, experts have warned.
It comes after the penetentiary centre in Alhuarin de la Torre experienced a night of chaos on Monday, when a guard was savagely attacked before two inmates attempted a daring escape.
One of those trying to break free was the Afghan-born Swede accused of gunning down a rapper in Marbella earlier this month.
The 34-year-old suspect is charged with firing up to a dozen bullets at Swedish national Hamza Karimi, 25, outside a cafe in Puerto Banus. The ‘gangsta rap’ artist died of his injuries in hospital.
Following his arrest, the unnamed suspect was sent to Alhaurin de la Torre prison, where he is being held without bail ahead of a trial.
On Monday night, a guard was attacked by a particularly volatile inmate, according to the CSIF prison workers’ union. The officer sustained minor injuries and was treated at the facility.
Hours later, Karimi’s alleged killer is reported to have tried to escape alongside another inmate.
At around 2am on Tuesday, staff at the high-security Malaga I facility detected unusual noises coming from one of the most closely monitored modules.
Within minutes, two inmates – both classified as dangerous – were caught trying to escape.
According to prison sources, the escape was rushed and opportunistic, likely improvised in the quiet of night.
Although details are scant, the inmates are said to have ‘tried to force an exit from the module’, but noise sensors and a vigilant team intercepted them before they could get out of the gallery.
No one was injured, and the situation was brought under control in minutes.
Both men are currently under Article 75 of the Spanish prison regulations, a status reserved for the most unstable and dangerous inmates.
Authorities have now requested their immediate transfer to a different prison.
The Swedish suspect was arrested on October 3 while fleeing San Pedro de Alcantara in a stolen car, just hours after Karimi was murdered in broad daylight on the cafe terrace in Puerto Banus.
His death is believed to be part of the escalating war between the Foxtrot and Dalen gangs, two of Sweden’s most dangerous organised crime groups, whose reach now extends into southern Spain.
Spanish and Swedish authorities are closely collaborating on the investigation.
The CSIF is demanding urgent improvements to security, especially for night shifts.
‘It was only thanks to the professionalism of the staff that this didn’t end worse,’ the union said. They’ve also offered psychological support to the assaulted staff member.
The union warns that Alhaurin de la Torre is now housing a growing number of inmates tied to international criminal networks, many with violent and unpredictable profiles.
They’re calling for more guards, enhanced surveillance tech and updated training to prevent future incidents.
Read more Costa del Crime news at the Spanish Eye.
