An Indonesian court has sentenced two men to 18 years in prison for the murder of 49-year-old Spanish woman Matilde Muñoz. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The woman was murdered in February 2025 in a hotel in Jakarta on the island of Java, and her body was hidden in a car trunk. The prosecution had requested life imprisonment, but the judge recognized mitigating circumstances.

Verdict for Hotel Murder

A court in Indonesia sentenced two citizens of the country to 18 years in prison for murdering a Spanish tourist in February 2025 in a hotel in Jakarta.

Mitigating Circumstances for the Convicted

The judge recognized that the defendants did not premeditate the crime, acted on impulse, and showed remorse, which influenced the sentence.

Body Hidden in Trunk

After committing the murder, the perpetrators transported the victim's body by car and hid it in the trunk, which initially complicated the investigation.

An Indonesian court in Jakarta sentenced two men to 18 years in prison on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, for the murder of 49-year-old Spanish tourist Matilde Muñoz. The verdict came after nearly a year-long trial concerning the murder, which occurred in February 2025 in one of the hotels in the Indonesian capital. The victim had traveled to the country as a tourist. The prosecution, representing the state, had requested the harsher penalty of life imprisonment, arguing the cruelty of the act. However, the judge recognized mitigating circumstances for the defendants, including the lack of premeditation, acting on impulse, and the remorse shown. After the murder, the perpetrators hid the woman's body in a car trunk, which initially hampered the investigation by local police. Spanish authorities, through the consulate in Jakarta, monitored the proceedings. Indonesia, as the world's largest Muslim-majority country, has strict criminal laws. The penal code provides for life imprisonment or even the death penalty for murder. However, the application of the death penalty sparks international controversy. In recent decades, Indonesia has carried out executions mainly in drug-related cases, leading to diplomatic tensions with countries whose citizens were sentenced. The murder of the Spanish tourist received widespread media coverage both in Spain and Indonesia. The case drew attention to the issue of tourist safety in this popular Asian travel destination. Indonesia attracts millions of visitors annually, primarily to the islands of Bali and Java. However, criminal incidents involving foreigners are relatively rare compared to the scale of tourist traffic. Local authorities often emphasize that Jakarta and other regions are safe. The victim's family had expected a harsh sentence, hoping for justice. The 18-year prison sentence may be appealed by both the prosecution and the defense. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet commented on the announced verdict.

Mentioned People

  • Matilde Muñoz — 49-year-old Spanish tourist, victim of a murder in Indonesia in February 2025.