Spain says Western Sahara independence leader at the centre of a diplomatic dispute between Rabat and Madrid must answer legal charges in Spain before leaving the country.
Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said last month that Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali had arrived in Spain from Algeria for medical treatment.
Gonzalez Laya said that when Ghali has recovered from health problems, he should answer a case at Spain’s High Court before he returns to his own country.
Speaking on Spanish Radio she said they had promised to give this person a humanitarian response as he was in a critical situation for his multiple health problems.
She added when he has recovered, he will return to his country. Meanwhile, he faces a series of judicial cases and should complete his obligations to the Spanish justice system.
Spain’s decision to host Ghali without telling Morocco has angered Rabat, which regards Western Sahara as part of Morocco and says Ghali is using travel documents provided by Algeria and a false name.
Ghali faces a court summons in Spain in a war crimes case against him although Spain’s High Court has rejected a request by plaintiffs in the case to arrest him.
Morocco urged Spain on Saturday to open an investigation into the circumstances of Ghali’s arrival in Spain and to explain its findings to Rabat.
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