A Barcelona judge has named Jonathan Andic, the son of Mango fashion group founder Isak Andic, a suspect in the investigation into his father’s 2024 death.
Police in Catalonia arrested and questioned the 45-year-old before bringing him to court in handcuffs on Tuesday. Judge Raquel Nieto Galvan set bail at 1 million euros ($1.16 million) and ordered him to surrender his passport.
Jonathan Andic left the court after paying bail. He cannot leave the region and must report to the court once a week.
Isak Andic died in December 2024 after falling more than 100 metres (328 feet) from a cliff while hiking with his son near Barcelona. Authorities initially treated the case as an accident.
However, Judge Galvan issued a statement after the hearing, confirming that the case is now a homicide investigation.
In her writ, the judge cited evidence pointing to a poor relationship between the father and son, a possible financial motive, and prior planning and study of the scene. She also noted an “autopsy that practically rules out slipping or stumbling” alongside discrepancies in the statements provided by the suspect.
The judge stated these factors “could implicate JA in the death of his father”.
The development drew immediate reactions from the Andic family and legal representatives.
The Andic family released a statement maintaining Jonathan Andic’s innocence, stating, “There is no legitimate evidence against him, nor will any be found.”
Defense lawyer Cristobal Martell called the homicide theory inconsistent. Martell stated, “But above all, it is painful. It stigmatizes an innocent man. Now the real process begins, and the truth and his innocence will shine through”.
A spokesperson for the family stated that Jonathan Andic, who serves as Mango’s Vice Chairman, will continue to cooperate with the authorities.
Isak Andic was born in Istanbul and moved to Catalonia in the 1960s. He founded Mango in 1984, developing it into a global group and a rival to Zara.
At the time of his death, he served as the non-executive chairman of the company. Forbes valued his net worth at $4.5 billion.
