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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.
The currently hospitalized Ghali has been central to the diplomatic rift between Morocco and Spain, initially drawing ire for being welcomed to Spain under false documents without prior consultation with Morocco. Morocco raised objections, citing Ghali’s efforts to destabilize Morocco and promote separatism, as well as the legal charges against him over alleged genocide, torture, and rape.
Now, “the fact that Ghali will testify voluntarily, will imply that the magistrate will 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.
Read also: Former Spanish FM: Spain Must Reconsider Its Position on Western Sahara
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 reader 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.”
There is another complaint that could change the tides of Brahim’s fate, namely, the alleged “murder, disappearance, torture and kidnapping of 281 Spanish sailors,” between 1973 and 1986. The accusation has been brought up by the Canarian Association of Victims of Terrorism (Acavite), and if they prove to be true, it would give the Spanish courts the impetus and legal basis to follow through with the investigation.
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.
