Spanish judge who took on Pinochet goes on trial

[Judi Lynn]

Spanish judge who took on Pinochet goes on trial
Baltasar Garzón, the judge who ordered the arrest of the Chilean dictator, is to face three trials amid claims he is being persecuted
Giles Tremlett in Madrid guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 17 January 2012 03.14 EST

Spain's most famous judge, the charismatic and controversial investigating magistrate Baltasar Garzón, is set to appear in court on Tuesday to face charges that may bring his career to an abrupt and dramatic end.

The magistrate who ordered the arrest of Chile's General Augusto Pinochet in London and who battled corruption, state terrorism, drug clans and Basque terrorism in Spain, will be struck off as a magistrate for 17 years if his fellow judges decide he has knowingly abused his powers.

~snip~
Crowds of protesters are expected outside the court as Garzón's supporters claim he is the subject of a campaign of persecution triggered by his decision to investigate human rights crimes committed under Franco.

A second, even more controversial, trial is to start next week. It will see Garzón accused of twisting the law in order to open a formal investigation into the death or disappearance of 110,000 people allegedly killed under Franco's regime.

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/17/spains-top-judge-on-trial

[sabrina 1]

1. No wonder no one will bring war criminals from the Western nations, to justice.

This is what happens, he is being made an example of and the judge in the case he was taken off, the US trials, will no doubt be watching what is happening to his predecessor.

I am glad he has so much support around the world. This began when he was on the case against Yoo et al.

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R

[fasttense]

3. Can anyone doubt there are 2 sets of rules in this world?

One for the majority of people who are controlled and caroled and abused at the pleasure of the uber rich, whose every mistake must be punished severely and excessively

And one set of rules for the uber rich who can even murder with impunity.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. Pinochet was a SADIST, as was Franco. May they be rotting in hell

It's pathetic that everywhere on this globe, sons of bitches like the Francos, the Pinochets, and the Bushes of this world run FREE, and only when someone decides to take matters into his hands on behalf of the people, is any attention paid, and only to punish the hero.

I love Baltazar Garzon and his fight to bring evil dictators to court.

[EFerrari]

5. Kick

[vminfla]

6. It goes to show that even noble men can stumble

Covertly recording conversations and other criminal acts led to this, despite his rhetoric about "persecution". He trampled the rights of of suspects. Now, he is a suspect and will have his day in court.

[Pachamama]

7. Wasn't he also the very same Spanish judge who wanted Bush arrested for War Crimes?

Sounds like a judge who has not only a conscience, the desire for justice and not afraid to speak truth to power....and look at what is happening to him....

Yes, no wonder there havent been more of him....fear of being punished and persecuted....

I hope 2012 becomes the year that the light is shined on things and while those in the wrong will fight the truth hard, that the truth will prevail.....

[Taverner]

8. The Falange Lives...

[Odin2005]

9. K&R!

[hack89]

10. "Garzón is accused approving police taps on conversations between defence lawyers ...

and their clients."

That doesn't seem like a good thing to me.

[Judi Lynn]

11. In praise of… Judge Baltasar Garzón

In praise of… Judge Baltasar Garzón
The man who tried to extradite Pinochet from Britain for human rights abuses faces professional exile in his native Spain
Editorial guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 17 January 2012 16.39 EST

A number of countries around the world have reason to be grateful for the unstinting efforts of a Spanish judge who finds himself on trial. Judge Baltasar Garzón's 1998 attempt to extradite General Pinochet from Britain to face charges of human rights abuses relating to the 1973 coup in Chile brought two judgments from the law lords allowing his extradition, and sparked a similar round of cases in Santiago. His pursuit of thugs from Argentina's 1976-83 junta forced that country's courts to open their own investigations. The judge is today the target of three private prosecutions alleging he abused his powers – one over an investigation into the deaths of Spaniards executed by Franco's men. If successful, the only man to have been punished for Franco's crimes would be Judge Garzón himself. This smacks of political vendetta. It would be a travesty of justice if Spain's most famous judge were unable to work in his own land.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/17/praise-of-judge-balthasar-garzon