Former Spanish Foreign Minister Summoned in Brahim Ghali Entry Investigation

Tough times for the former head of Spanish diplomacy. After the revelations of her former chief of staff Camilo Villarino to the investigating judge, it appears that Arancha Laya is the first high-ranking political figure targeted by the investigation aimed at clarifying the gray areas surrounding the conditions of Brahim Ghali’s entry and exit from Spanish territory last April.

To this end, reports the EFE agency, Laya has been indicted by the judge. However, the former minister has not yet been located, according to sources close to the case. The date of her appearance has therefore not yet been set, as her summons must be served on her personally.

To recall, Villarino stated during his interrogation by the investigating judge "that he had received a call from Gonzalez Laya". In other words, her intervention with the Spanish Air Force to avoid any passport control of the separatist leader upon his arrival at the military area of the Zaragoza airport was done under the direct instructions of the former Foreign Minister. Orders that would have been formulated by Gonzalez Laya 48 hours before Ghali’s arrival in Spain.

Also, he had also been instructed to carry out this operation in "complete discretion and under the radar". During this telephone exchange, Laya would have announced to her chief of staff the arrival in Spain of the head of the separatists accompanied by his son on April 16. The former minister would have specified that Ghali had a diplomatic passport and that his son enjoyed a Spanish residence card.