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SPAIN OFFICIALS INDICT FORMER U.S. OFFICIALS

April 14, 2009

Spanish prosecutors will seek criminal charges against Alberto Gonzales and five high ranking Bush administration officials for sanctioning torture at Guantánamo. By Scott Horton.

  In a part surprising and part expected move officials involved in the Guantanamo tortures have been indicted. While it seemed more likely that the ICC or a US tribunal would take up the cause Spain has stepped up to the plate on behalf of some of their citizens.  In one sense it is refreshing that the indictment did not occur by the 'in' party against the 'out' party which always reeks of partisanship.  The complicated matter of diplomacy, comity and 'justice' takes on a suspenseful nature in that how this will play out is an unknown.  Americans are indicted all the time by foreign countries.  High ranking officials are not.  President Ford pardoned Nixon.  Obama will not be able to so easily pardon a foreign jurisdictions criminal conviction. 

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