Polisario Front Leader Seeks Dismissal of Spanish Court Charges

In the five-page document provided to the judge, Brahim Ghali’s defense claims that his client "did not even know the plaintiff," and consequently, could not "take any action" against him. "The purpose of the complaint is fallacious and political. The plaintiff is using the criminal procedure for purposes foreign to the administration of justice," it is argued.

To read: Polisario Front Leader Investigated for Alleged Identity Fraud in Spain

For the moment, "there is no need to issue the requested arrest warrant, not only for lack of justification, but also for lack of identification data," Judge Pedraz states in an order obtained by El Confidencial, adding that following the procedures requested by Breica’s defense, "it is agreed to take the deposition of the plaintiff and the witnesses on June 29 at 10:00 a.m."

In a second 22-page memorandum, Ghali’s defense uses the same reasoning to dismiss the complaint from the Sahrawi Association for the Defense of Human Rights, which accuses him of genocide. "The purpose of the complaint is political. The plaintiff is using the criminal procedure for fallacious and foreign purposes to the administration of justice," it denounces. The defense of the Polisario Front leader also argues that the witnesses have not so far been able to prove Ghali’s participation in these human rights violations and recalls that his client has shown his willingness to "collaborate with justice," despite his state of health.

To read: Spanish Court Demands Answers on Polisario Leader’s Controversial Entry

In addition, Brahim Ghali is the subject of an investigation opened by the judge in Zaragoza for the alleged crimes of false passport, forgery and concealment, in connection with his entry into Spain under a false identity. In a decision dated June 11, the investigating judge of the Zaragoza court has requested to deepen the investigation on the arrival in Spain of Brahim Ghali. Specifically, he asks the military command for clear answers on nine points related, among other things, to the time of arrival and the nationality of the aircraft that landed at the military base facilities on April 18, the landing authorization of the aircraft, the effective presence of Ghali on board this aircraft, the number of passengers on board the aircraft, the country that issued the diplomatic passport used by Ghali, etc. The military air command of Zaragoza airport has five days to respond to these questions.