The Judge Baltasar Garzon Case : In Layman's terms

 

It has been headlines for many months now here in Spain - the Garzon trial - and how it makes a complete mockery of the Spanish legal system.

For those who have been living in a cave for the last 12 months the bare bones of the case are this: Baltasar Garzon, a Supreme Court Judge, has been the defendant in a very long, expensive and drawn out case which has seen him accused of a number of 'crimes' - one of which includes 'overreaching his authority'.

One of these cases is centred around what has been called his 'personal crusade' into Spain's Franco years, significantly in defence of the tens of thousands of victims of the ruthless dictator following the end of the Spanish civil war. The Human Rights lawyer did not seek retribution for the thousands of victims of the civil war who were loyal to Franco, as it was held that Franco himself 'rewarded' them and their families during his reign as the head of state.

This, it is claimed, violates an Amnesty granted in 1977 against all 'civil war crimes'.

However, this particular charge is not due to be heard until next month.

In a separate charge heard yesterday, Garzon was disbarred for a total of 11 years after being found guilty of funding the PP party, and for authorising illegal wiretapping of prominent businessman and politicians.

The Judge, who famously pursued Chilean Dictator General Pinochet, through the courts, has divided Spanish opinion and many feel he is being made a example of by a number of faceless politicians and lawyers with an axe to grind.