Originally published on the CGS blog on May 17, 2010.
On May 12, 2010 the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court confirmed that that it has requested Judge Baltasar Garzon of Spain to assist the office in improving its investigation methods. Judge Garzon is a slightly controversial figure. Judge Garzon, in 2008, investigated the execution or disappearance of more than 100,000 Spanish civilians. These executions and disappearances are a reflection of the crimes committed during Spain’s 1936-39 Civil War and under General Francisco Franco’s rule. In 1977 the Spanish Parliament granted amnesty over these crimes in an effort to move the county towards reconciliation. But as a result of Judge Garzon investigating these crimes which are covered by an amnesty he has been charged with knowingly going beyond the limits of his jurisdiction.
Despite Judge Garzon’s history, the Office of the Prosecutor has chosen to focus on the more positive aspects of Judge Garzon’s career. Judge Garzon is respected for targeting international figures which include the late Chilean military ruler Augusto Pinochet and al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, among others.
Additionally, Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo stated “Judge Garzon’s extensive experience in investigating massive crimes committed by States and non state organizations will be a great contribution to my office.”
Will Judge Garzon join Prosector Moreno-Ocampo at the ICC? The answer is still up in the air. Judge Garzon asked Spain’s Judicial Oversight Board if he could take a seven month leave of absence to join the ICC, but Spain’s Judicial Oversight Board has yet to make a decision to either grant or deny Judge Garzon’s request.
