Polisario Leader Refuses To Appear Before Spanish Judiciary
Brahim Ghali refrained from signing the summons of the Spanish judiciary, saying that he must consult the Algerian Embassy first.
Brahim Ghali, leader of the separatist Polisario Front, refused to sign a summons sent to him by the investigating judge of the Spanish National Court, Santiago Pedraz.
Spanish “LaSexta” channel reported on its official website that Ghali, who is currently in Spain, refused to sign the Spanish judge summoning to appear before court to testify regarding charges of torture and rape.
The first case that Ghali faces, according to the same source, is related to “crimes of unlawful arrest, torture and crimes against humanity”, while the second case, which was initially suspended (in October of last year), was reopened and relates to “genocide, murder, illegal detention, terrorism, torture…”.
Now, according to the Spanish channel, the judge is waiting for a new response from Ghali, who is also scheduled to be summoned on June 1st, indicating that Judge Pedraz is now following how Ghali’s health develops. In case he refuses to come to trial, an arrest warrant can be issued against him to bring him to justice.
The Spanish News Agency EFE reported that Judge Pedraz, decided yesterday, Tuesday, to reopen a case related to crimes against humanity targeting the leader of the Polisario separatists, Brahim Ghali.
This is a case that was brought to light in 2008, following a complaint filed by the Sahrawi Association for the Defense of Human Rights (ASADEDH), regarding genocide, assassination, arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearance and terrorism.