Former Spanish Diplomat Summoned in Polisario Leader Entry Probe

The judge has summoned Camilo Villarino to appear at the request of the public prosecutor, and the hearing is scheduled for early September, according to judicial sources quoted by Heraldo. This will be an opportunity for the former chief of staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give his version of the facts regarding Brahim Ghali’s arrival in Spain. Villarino had already specified, in a brief written response to the judge, that he had indicated to the lieutenant general that it was "not necessary" for Ghali and his entourage to go through customs or immigration, assuring that this was "a response perfectly consistent, both with established practice and with current legislation".

Lieutenant General Francisco Javier Fernández Sánchez, second-in-command of the air force, will also attend this hearing as a witness. The judge considered his presence necessary, as it was he who revealed that he had received instructions from Villarino to land the Algerian presidential plane carrying the Polisario Front leader at the Zaragoza base and not subject them to customs control. On the other hand, the judge did not consider it necessary to summon General José Luis Ortiz Cañavate, the commander of the Zaragoza air base, to this hearing. He had already stated that he had received an order from the air force general staff, at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not to demand a passport from the Polisario Front leader upon his arrival.

In addition, the investigating judge has also decided to summon as a witness to this hearing scheduled for September, Eliseo Sastre Esteve, the chief of staff of the presidency of the government of La Rioja. This will be an opportunity for the judge to clarify a point in the report of the Logroño national police which states that Brahim Ghali was admitted to the San Pedro de Logroño hospital under the false name of Mohamed Benbatouche, an identity that would have been provided by the chief of staff of the government of La Rioja, according to the statements of the head of the intensive care unit and the director of the center.

Brahim Ghali’s arrival in Spain on April 18 caused a major diplomatic crisis with Morocco, which has been ongoing since then. President Pedro Sánchez thanked Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya for trying to calm Morocco and ease tensions. She has been replaced by José Manuel Albares who is working to quickly restore relations with the kingdom, "a partner and friendly country".