From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Gen Rojo's trial

I have several doubts on Gen. Rojo's trial (at least of what stands in wikipedia). ¿Can anyone answer them?:

• I'm not aware of any Juzgado especial para la represion del espionaje y el comunismo (as it's called in the spanish article. I've found the (in)famous Tribunal .... de la masoneria y el comunismo and a (republican) Tribunal .. espionaje y la Alta Traición. Last is clearly not, and the first had no standing for an accusation of military rebellion. It was a crime to be judged by a military court, but the article cites a definite date so I presume it is gathered from some source.
• Googleing i found references to the 30 years and perpetual reclusion. I've decided for the 30, because it was the customary penalty, and IIRC perpetual reclusion as such didn't exist in spanish codes.
• I'm in the dark about which mechanism was exactly chosen to allow Rojo to avoid prision. Specially, if -as is reported- he was allowed a pension in the rank of a commander.

On the other hand, i've deleted the original paragraph about why he was judged. Partly because it was just speculation, partly because i think it was also wildly off-mark. Respect to Rojo was widespread within the francoist military, specially by Franco himself, so a "whitewashing" sort of trial was not needed as it respects military opinion. But it was useful in other two senses (now it's me who is speculating). First, for Rojo himself. Once tried and either aquitted or pardoned he would be in a secure -and legal- standing inside Spain. Second, the internal logic of the regime (for various reasons) needed the trial (this time low-key and formal) no matter if the final result for the defendant was preset (as in this case). --Wllacer 11:05, 11 July 2006 (UTC)