Garz贸n is the first Spanish judge to face , reports the Guardian. Some believe Garz贸n, who briefly served as a Socialist member of parliament, had political reasons for ignoring the amnesty law 鈥� the People鈥檚 Party is at a greater risk of being tied to the Franco era than the Socialists.
"Because of his huge ego, he thought that after going against Chile and Argentina, he would apply universal justice here in Spain. But he is not impartial. He is only interested in rightwing regimes,鈥� said Clean Hands leader Miguel Bernard, formerly of the pro-Francoist National Front, reports the Guardian.
Garz贸n says he is and that politics didn鈥檛 play a role in his judicial decisions. 鈥淭here was no ideology in this, but whose rights had not been dealt with,鈥� Garz贸n said.
Garz贸n supporters have lodged the same accusation of political motivation against conservative detractors. Human Rights Watch spokesman Reed Brody says the timing of the charges against Garz贸n are suspicious. The three cases were brought against him in Spain, reports NPR.
Despite the court saying that , Garz贸n and his lawyer are determined to press on, reports Reuters.
"We shall carry on fighting, carry on appealing. We have a long road ahead, but I believe both he and I are more than strong enough," Garzon's lawyer Javier Baena said after the sentence.
