Spanish Court Dismisses Genocide Charges Against Polisario Leader Brahim Ghali

The criminal chamber of the National Court reached the same conclusion as Judge Santiago Pedraz, namely that "the facts are time-barred, the commission of the crime of genocide is not established, and the testimonies of the witnesses contradict the allegations contained in the complaint".

To read: Spanish Court Dismisses Genocide Complaint Against Polisario Front Leader

The Sahrawi Association for the Defense of Human Rights (ASADEDH) is the author of this complaint against the leader of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali. It accuses him of having exterminated Moroccan citizens between 1975 and 1990. According to the prosecution, Article 113 of the 1973 Penal Code applicable to these alleged facts provides for a 20-year statute of limitations. However, the complaint against Brahim Ghali was not received until December 16, 2012.

ASADEDH has the possibility to appeal in cassation. As for Brahim Ghali, he is not out of the woods. Another complaint for "kidnapping and torture" has been filed against him by Fadel Breika, a former member of the Polisario Front.