Wildfires have become one of the greatest tragedies of every summer in our country. Beyond the irreparable environmental and material losses, these disasters affect thousands of people whose safety and homes are threatened.
In this context, our criminal lawyer Cristina Nieto Enríquez participated in a report broadcast by Noticias Cuatro to explain the legal implications contemplated by the Penal Code regarding arson.
The legal framework of arson in the Penal Code
As Cristina Nieto Enríquez pointed out in her intervention, the Penal Code establishes severe sanctions for those responsible for arson, especially when human life is endangered or ecosystems are seriously affected:
- Up to 20 years in prison in cases where there is a risk to the life or physical integrity of people (art. 351 PC).
- Prison sentences from 1 to 5 years if the fire is limited to forest masses, increasing depending on the extent of the damage or in cases of repeat offenses (art. 352 PC).
- Fines and additional sanctions, in addition to civil liability for the damages caused.
The lawyer stressed that these penalties are intended not only to punish criminal behavior but also to reinforce prevention against a phenomenon that leaves devastating consequences every year.
Recent cases and public debate
The Noticias Cuatro report contextualized the issue with alarming data: this summer there have been dozens of arrests for arson, including cases as serious as that of a forest firefighter detained for starting a fire that destroyed more than 2,000 hectares.
Society and various authorities, such as the president of the Junta de Andalucía, have called for tougher penalties and greater resources to prevent arsonists from going unpunished.
In this public debate, the contribution of Cristina Nieto Enríquez is essential to understand the legal scope of these crimes and the reach of the current regulations.
A commitment to justice and victims
From Nieto Enríquez Criminal Lawyers, Cristina reiterated the importance of Criminal Law fulfilling its protective and deterrent function, ensuring that those who cause such damage fully assume their responsibility.
At the same time, she expressed her solidarity with all the people and communities affected by the fires, as well as with the emergency teams who work tirelessly in extreme situations.
Cristina Nieto Enríquez’s participation in Noticias Cuatro has brought a necessary reflection to the table: wildfires are not only an environmental issue, but also a serious crime against collective safety. The Penal Code provides tools to sanction them, but society is demanding an even greater commitment in terms of prevention and justice.
At Nieto Enríquez Criminal Lawyers, a law firm based in Barcelona, this commitment is reflected in continuous efforts in legal dissemination, advice, and defense, always with a human and sensitive approach towards those who suffer the harshest consequences of these tragedies.
Abogada Penalista – Socia fundadora del despacho NIETO ENRIQUEZ Abogados Penalistas. Lidera un equipo de abogados especializados en Derecho Penal y Compliance. Cuenta con amplia experiencia en la dirección jurídica de todo tipo de asuntos penales y en la elaboración de programas de prevención de delitos e imparte formaciones a directivos y empleados en esta materia.
