Garzón to work at the Hague?

I am not sure what to make of the news that Judge Garzón has asked to take a leave of absence. At this point, it seems rather like a face-saving measure. Were Garzón to work for the International Criminal Court (see below), it would certainly give him increased visibility on the world stage, making "el caso contra Garzón" in Spain seem even more provincial and ridiculous.

From: BBC

Spain judge Garzon 'seeks leave'

High-profile Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon has asked to take a leave of absence to work for the International Criminal Court (ICC), reports say.

Judicial sources at Spain's National Court say Mr Garzon wants to work as an adviser for the ICC for seven months.

The judge was indicted last month for exceeding his authority by launching an inquiry in 2008 into crimes committed by General Francisco Franco's rule.

The crimes during Spain's 1936-39 Civil War are covered by an amnesty.

Spanish judicial sources say that Mr Garzon, 54, has received a job offer by the ICC chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo.

They say Spain's judicial oversight board has to decide whether to grant Mr Garzon the leave of absence.

Mr Garzon has not publicly commented on the issue.

Popular with the left

In February, a Supreme Court investigating magistrate ruled that Mr Garzon had ignored the 1977 amnesty by launching the investigation into atrocities committed during the four-decade rule of Gen Franco.

Mr Garzon, who is highly popular among the Spanish political left and international human rights campaigners, appealed against the ruling, saying his inquiry - now shelved - was legitimate.

But some on the right accuse Mr Garzon of launching cases that are politically motivated.

Tens of thousands of people disappeared during Spain's Civil War and under the Franco regime that followed.

Mr Garzon is also famous for targeting international figures, including late Chilean military ruler Augusto Pinochet and al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/8675548.stm

Published: 2010/05/11 14:53:24 GMT

© BBC MMX

From: The New York Times

World Briefing | Europe
Job Offer for Noted Spanish Judge
By MARLISE SIMONS
Published: May 11, 2010

Spain’s well-known investigating magistrate, Baltasar Garzón, left, who is being prosecuted in a case filed by far-right Spanish groups, has been offered a temporary post as an external adviser to the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, a court official there said. The judge gained an international reputation as a fearless prosecutor of cases including those on Basque and Islamist terrorism, drug traffickers and the former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. Mr. Garzón was indicted last month on charges of abusing his powers. He has denied the charges.

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