Spain Denies Existence of Official Records on Polisario Leader’s Entry

"There is no file on this subject at the ministry," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs simply stated, in response to OKDIARIO’s request to have "access to the complete file [opened at the ministry] concerning the entry of Brahim Ghali into Spain for medical treatment" and to know "the steps taken with international organizations with a view to resolving this issue and the migratory crisis that followed, the cost of the medical care provided to the Polisario Front leader, the reasons for his hospitalization in Logroño, etc.".

To read: Spain-Morocco Tensions Escalate Over Polisario Leader’s Hospital Stay

Sources from the ministry claim that there was no contact between the Spanish and Moroccan Foreign Ministers in the context of resolving the diplomatic and migratory crisis with Morocco. But diplomatic sources say the government is "relatively satisfied" with the results of the discreet diplomacy adopted to resolve the crisis caused by the Ghali affair. "We are relatively satisfied and that is why we will continue in this direction," they say, adding that the objective is to "normalize" relations with the kingdom while maintaining "Spain’s position on the Sahara".

To read: Polisario Front Leaders Face Terrorism Charges in Spanish Court

Brahim Ghali is being prosecuted for several crimes and offenses. The investigating court in Logroño has initiated proceedings against him for an alleged offense of document forgery, after receiving a complaint that the Polisario Front leader arrived in Spain on April 18 under a false identity. The head of the separatist movement is also cited in an alleged case of terrorism. On June 1, he appeared by videoconference before the National High Court to answer for alleged acts of genocide, kidnapping, torture, sequestration and various human rights violations. Facts that he denied, which led the judge Santiago Pedraz not to impose any precautionary measures against him. In the early morning of June 2, he returned to Algeria, after spending a month and a half at the San Pedro de Logroño hospital. He continues his convalescence at the hospital in Algiers.