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Rabat – Spanish National Court Judge Santiago Pedraz announced his decision to reopen the case against the Polisario leader Brahim Ghali for several charges, including genocide.
Spanish news agency EFE said on Tuesday that the Spanish judge decided to reopen the case after several human rights organizations lashed out at Spain for hospitalizing the separatist leader on its territory.
Ghali entered Spain with a fake identity and passport under the name “Mohamed Ben Batouch.”
The Spanish decision to host Ghali, who faces several allegations of war crimes, angered Morocco and complainants.
One of the complainants is Fadel Mehdi Braika, a Sahrawi who filed charges against Ghali for the torture he suffered in the Polisario camps in Tindouf.
Before the escalation of the rift between Spain and Morocco, Spanish media reported that Ghali would appear before the judge after his hospital discharge in June.
La Razon, a Spanish news outlet reported earlier this month that Ghali is not conscious and is unable to make a statement.
Several NGOs and victims have intensified sit-ins and protests in Spain, calling on the Spanish government to immediately arrest Ghali.
The Canary Association of Victims of Terrorism (ACAVITE) and 13 other associations issued statements to call on Spain to “take advantage of” Ghali’s presence on Spanish territory.
Inaction from the Spanish government caused anger among Morocco and its officials, who called for Spain to give clear details regarding its decision to host Ghali for hospitalization without informing the North African country.
Spain arranged Ghali’s trip in collaboration with Algeria, which finances, arms, trains, and supports Polisario and its independence claims.
The Spanish government maintains that its decision to host Ghali is due to “humanitarian reasons,” a justification that Morocco deplored.
“Why the Spanish justice has not yet reacted to the many complaints filed by the victims,” the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on April 25.
Morocco also directly asked Spain if it is ready to abandon relations with Rabat for someone like Brahim Ghali.
With the newest move from the Spanish judge, it remains to be seen whether Spain will seriously take measures against the separatist leader or if it is just one of its means to calm the ongoing tension.
Rabat summoned its ambassador on Tuesday after the Spanish government expressed concerns and frustration regarding the growing irregular migration operations in northern Morocco.
Over 6,000 people have entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in a few days. Spain has already begun deporting the migrants back to Morocco.
