Rabat - The infamous leader of the
separatist Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, is set to give a voluntary statement
before the Spanish magistrate of the Audiencia Nacional on June 1, but more
worryingly, Ghali could be free to leave the country afterward.
Now, “the fact that Ghali will testify voluntarily,
will imply that the magistrate wil not withdraw his passport after the
statement,” reports the Spanish digital newspaper OKDIARIO, suggesting that following the court procedures “he
could leave Spain voluntarily without any kind of legal obstacle.”
The newspaper notes the fact that once Ghali leaves
Spain, most likely he will “never set foot on Spanish territory again,”
especially in the context of the charges levied against him. As such, if the
proceedings against the separatist leader go ahead, an international arrest
warrant would have to be a part of the package.
Another obstacle for Ghali’s prosecution in
Spain could stem from the fact that within the legal battles being fought,
there have not been any Spanish victims to the separatist leader’s alleged
crimes, the Spanish newspaper reports. Under Spanish law, this would prevent
Spanish magistrates from investigating crimes
beyond the Iberian borders.
OKDIARIO highlights several charges levied against Ghali, among them the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman, Yadiyetu Mohamaud, a young Moroccan blogger who has brought charges against the Polisario leader for alleged kidnap and torture, as well as the Saharawi Association for the Defense of Human Rights, which accuses “not only Ghali, but the entire Polisario Front of disappearances, torture and genocide.”Spanish authorities are likely to be contemplating the consequences of the hearing, especially considering that the Moroccan government has warned Spain that if Ghali leaves the country, it could lead to ruptured ties. Even if the allegations against him can be proved, it will be irrelevant if the separatist leader can skip bail and leave the country afterward.
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