Former Spanish FM Claims Brahim Ghali’s Entry into Spain was 'Legal'

Rabat – Spain’s former Foreign Minister, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, stated on October 4 that Polisario leader Brahim Ghali’s recent controversial trip to Spain took place “in conformity with the law.”

Laya explained to the Spanish press that “Brahim Ghali’s entry was made, from my perspective, according to the law. I hope that soon the judge will come to the same conclusion.” The former Spanish FM made the remarks during her appearance in front of judge Rafael Lasala in Spain’s Zaragoza.

Laya is on trial for facilitating Ghali’s entry to Spanish territory in April with falsified documents.

Laya was summoned in September to appear before a judge to answer questions about her involvement in arranging for Brahim Ghali’s controversial trip to Spain for medical care.

Camilo Villarino, Laya’s former Chief of Staff, testified in court in September that the former Spanish FM was not only aware of Ghali’s identity prior to his arrival in Spain, but actively attempted to conceal it.

Villarino confirmed that Laya gave specific instructions to ensure Ghali would enter Spain while evading the control of customs or border officers.

Attorney Antonio Urdiales placed a complaint for charges of “falsification or use of a fraudulent passport, prevarication, and concealment.” Judge Rafael Lasala, head of Zaragoza’s 7th Court of Instruction, began the legal proceedings in July.

Ghali was allowed to enter Spain in April under the identity of “Mohamed Ben Battouche,” and many converging reports have since established that Algerian authorities cooperated with high-ranking Spanish officials to arrange for the polisario leader’s trip and hospitalization.

After news emerged of Ghali’s presence in Spain, many human rights activists and victims of the Polisario leader’s numerous abuses filed first-degree criminal complaints with Spanish judicial authorities.

Morocco also condemned the Spanish government’s apparent collusion with Ghali and urged Madrid to at least hold the Polisario chief accountable for his involvement in crimes such as kidnapping and murder.

Following Ghali’s virtual appearance before a Spanish court, however, Judge Santiago Pedraz declared him innocent and allowed him to leave Spain.

But Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), a Spanish trade union, has since filed a complaint against Ghali for entering Spain with forged documents, prompting Spain’s Judicial authorities to investigate senior government officials who might have played a role in arranging for the issuance of the fake documentation.