Spanish State involved at highest level in admitting Polisario leader, El Pais says
El Pais, one of Spain’s most popular newspapers, confirmed that the admission of Polisario leader in Spain was a decision taken at the highest state level.
El Pais confirmed the conclusion of Morocco’s foreign ministry that letting Ghali into Spain under a made-up identity and an Algerian passport was a “premeditated act.”
Ghali flew to Spain where he is receiving medical care at a hospital in Logrono. His presence in the European country triggered anger of the numerous victims who are still waiting for Spain to bring him before justice on charges of war crimes, human rights violations and rape.
El Pais pins the responsibility of the Spanish state and vindicates Morocco’s strong worded statement and warnings that such a hostile act will have serious repercussions on bilateral relations.
Citing diplomatic sources, the paper explains that Algerian foreign minister Sabri Boukadoum had in early April implored Spain to offer medical treatment for Ghali who contracted Covid-19.
The sources added that Spanish authorities agreed to receive Ghali under the guise of “humanitarian considerations.” This obviously irked Morocco’s foreign ministry which in a statement last week deplored the double speak of Spain which reserves the humanitarian approach to the separatist leader while leaving thousands facing oppression and abject living conditions in the separatists-run camps of Tindouf.
The paper adds that Germany had already refused Algeria’s request to offer Ghali medical treatment, noting that Spain was more likely to receive Ghali given the leverage Algeria has over Spain as main gas supplier.
The presence of Ghali in Spain, where he is sued for heavy crimes, is a test for the independence of the Spanish judiciary and for Moroccan-Spanish relations. So far, Spain seems to have favored Ghali over its relations with Morocco.
Spanish opposition parties such as PP have deplored the way the Spanish government has dealt with Ghali’s case and castigated it for allowing him to enter with a false identity.
