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Who is Spain's Judge Baltasar Garzón? Five key questions answered.

Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzón was found guilty today on charges of illegal wiretapping and abuse of power. Garzón is known as a “super judge” because of the high profile human rights cases he has overseen internationally. 

2. What are the wiretap charges that led to his disbarment?

  • By Whitney Eulich Staff writer

Garzón was charged with abusing his judicial authority in a high-profile corruption case, known as the "Gurtel" case, and found guilty today. The sentence, which will prohibit him from practicing law in Spain for 11 years, was less severe than the original 20-year ban proposed by the prosecution. He is also liable for a fine of over $3,000.

Garzón was convicted of ordering wiretaps of conversations in jail between three defendants and their lawyers.  The wiretaps allegedly took place during an investigation into ties between politicians from Spain’s People Party and businessmen. Some politicians were accused of receiving kickbacks for awarding public contracts to a network of entrepreneurs and businesses, reports El Pais.

The lawyers who were taped said Garzón knowingly broke the law when he ordered the recording of their conversations.

Spain’s conservative People’s Party currently holds power with recently elected Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy at the helm. Leading up to the conviction, many believed if Garzón was found guilty on these charges, evidence gathered against the PP in the Gurtel corruption investigation could be thrown out, reports NPR.

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Mark Sappenfield
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