First statement by a victim of the Franco dictatorship before a judge in Spain

Victim of torture during the dictatorship testified this Friday before a Spanish judge for the first time since he died Francisco Franco in 1975, after which he demonstrated hope that “impunity” would end and “justice” would be served.

Victims of Franco’s dictatorship, Julio Pacheco Yepes (2L) and his wife Rosa María García Alcón (2R), hold a banner with photos of other victims in front of the Madrid courthouse on September 15, 2023. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP) (PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/)

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The victim, Julio Pacheco Yepestestified for an hour before a judge in a court in Madridthe first to admit a complaint of this type for processing.

So far, despite requests for United NationsSpanish justice rejected all complaints from victims of the dictatorship (1939-1975), alleging that the crimes were time-barred and, above all, the Amnesty Act 1977who forgave the crimes of political opponents, but also of law enforcement agents.

Upon leaving the Madrid courthouse, Pacheco Yepes and your wife Rosa María García Alcónwho gave testimony, received applause and shouts of “reparation, truth, justice” from around thirty people who showed their support.

“The first time a judge listens to you and listens to you, it means that there may be more (admitted complaints) and that (…) we can finally get justice, I have that hope“, the 67-year-old told reporters.

For all victims means “begin to break the wall of silence and impunity that we have with the Francoism“He added, visibly excited.

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Complaint against four torturers

The judge Ana Maria Iguácel The complaint was admitted for processing in May, when it was confirmed “the possible existence” of “crimes against humanity and torture”depending on the car.

Now, the judge must collect statements from the accused and then decide whether to open the trial or archive the dossier.

At this Friday’s hearing, according to the lawyer for Pacheco Yepes, Hyacinth LauraA prosecutor from the new Office of Human Rights and Democratic Memory was present.

This institution was created by Democratic Memory Lawemblematic legislation from the government of socialist Pedro Sánchez to compensate the victims of Francoism, approved in October 2022.

Member of an anti-Franco student organization, Julio Pacheco Yepes He was 19 years old when he was arrested by the secret police in August 1975, just three months before his death. Frank.

He was taken to the dreaded General Directorate of Securityat Puerta del Sol, in the center of Madridwhere he was tortured for days, according to his testimony, and then arrested on charges of terrorism.

Pacheco Yepes In February he filed a complaint against his four torturers, one of whom José Manuel Villarejoa shadowy figure implicated in numerous scandals related to the economic elite and politics and sentenced last June to 19 years in prison for espionage.

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The Argentine complaint

The organizations of victims of the Franco regime hope that the case of Pacheco Yepes means “a definitive change of criteria“in justice”after 6 years of struggle in the Spanish and 100 complaints registered” previously without any results, as noted in a recent statement.

Until now, the Amnesty Act 1977 it had been a wall impassable.

The well-known judge Baltasar Garzón He was prosecuted and finally acquitted for trying to open an investigation into the crimes of the Franco regime amnestied by law.

To the dismay of the victims, some torturers died without being prosecuted, such as the police Juan Antonio González Pacheconicknamed Billy the Kiddied in 2020.

One of the people who filed a complaint against Billy the Kid was the wife of Pacheco Yepeswho was similarly arrested in 1975, but was inadmissible by a court.

Garcia Alcon66 years old, testified this Friday as a witness, as in the context of the torture of Pacheco Yepes They showed him how the woman was tortured.

Given the judicial obstacles Spainvictims’ associations appealed Argentinawhere the magistrate Maria Servini invoked the principle of universal justice to launch an investigation in 2010, still open, into genocide and crimes against humanity during the Civil war (1936-1939) and the Franco dictatorship.

In 2014, the Spanish court denied the extradition requested by Servini of around twenty former regime ministers, judges and police officers for alleged crimes against humanity.

Source: Elcomercio