Baltasar Garzón - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Baltasar Garzón Real is a Spanish former judge known for his high-profile cases and controversial judicial decisions.
- 2. He was born on October 26, 1955, in Torres, a small town in Spain.
- 3. Garzón gained international fame for his work on human rights cases, including his investigation into the crimes of the Argentine military dictatorship and his pursuit of the perpetrators of the 1998 Pinochet case.
- 4. He is also known for his investigations into corruption, terrorism, and organized crime, and has been involved in several high-profile cases in Spain, including the Gürtel case and the GAL case.
- 5. In 1993, Garzón issued an arrest warrant for former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, leading to Pinochet's arrest in London. This case set a precedent for holding former heads of state accountable for human rights abuses.
- 6. Garzón's investigative methods have been criticized by some for their perceived lack of respect for legal boundaries, leading to his suspension from the Spanish judiciary in 2010.
- 7. In 2012, Garzón was found guilty of ordering illegal wiretaps in a corruption investigation and was barred from holding judicial office for 11 years.
- 8. Despite his legal troubles, Garzón has continued to work as a human rights advocate and legal consultant, and has served as a judge at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
- 9. Garzón has received numerous awards for his work in human rights and justice, including the International Nuremberg Human Rights Award and the International Hrant Dink Award for his contributions to the fight against impunity.
- 10. Garzón remains a controversial figure in Spain, with supporters praising his dedication to human rights and justice, while critics question his methods and legal ethics.