Judge Baltasar Garzón

[FCBarca]

Crusading Spanish High Court Judge going on trial for alleged illegal conduct in pursuing previous convictions through wiretaps & abuse of power claims...Same judge who had gained a reputation as every villain's nemesis by refusing to relent in pursuit of justice whether it was trying to prosecute Pinochet or detailing the atrocities of Franco's reign of terror


Curious what any Spaniards on the forum know about Garzón and what the local sentiments are on the case...Is it indeed a case of an overzealous judge or a political witch hunt?

Human rights activists are obviously concerned about what is happening to a judge deemed to have made too many political enemies in a pursuit of justice

"What bitter irony that Garzón is being prosecuted for trying to apply at home the same principles he so successfully promoted internationally," said Reed Brody, counsel for Human Rights Watch.

"Thirty-six years after Franco's death, Spain is finally prosecuting someone in connection with the crimes of his dictatorship – the judge who sought to investigate those crimes."

[La Furia]

We were discussing it briefly on M&C yesterday, two members who live/lived in Spain are happy about this.

He's an opportunist shrill but I do like how he forced Chile's hand in dealing with Pinochet. Plus I don't think anyone should be cheering about the use of Franco amnesty laws to prosecute.

[FCBarca]

Ever since this story has come out, I've been trying to read up on the issue & his past...Has a distinct feel of a witch hunt, for me