The Spanish government has announced a landmark decision to grant compensation to the family of Manuel Jesús García Caparrós, a young trade unionist killed by police during a demonstration in 1977. María Jesús Montero confirmed plans to amend regulations that will equate the status of victims of state violence with that of terrorism victims. This decision coincides with reports of the death and burial of Antonio Tejero, the leader of the failed 1981 coup attempt.

Terrorism Victim Status

The government will amend the law so that García Caparrós receives status and compensation equal to that of terrorism victims.

Death of Antonio Tejero

The leader of the failed 1981 coup has died; his remains will be buried in Málaga.

Constitutional Abortion Setback

The Council of State found that fully entrenching abortion rights in the constitution would require calling new elections.

The Spanish government has made a historic decision to compensate the family of Manuel Jesús García Caparrós, who became a symbol of the struggle for Andalusian autonomy. Caparrós was shot dead by police on December 4, 1977, in Málaga, but for nearly half a century, the state refused to recognize him as a victim requiring official compensation. The current legislative changes aim to equalize the status of those killed as a result of police repression during the political transition period with victims of terrorism. Deputy Prime Minister María Jesús Montero announced that Pedro Sánchez's cabinet will urgently reform two laws, which will allow for the payment of due compensation. The deceased's family has long demanded recognition of state responsibility and the restoration of historical memory. They expressed a deep conviction that their brother's murder was not a random incident but the result of systemic violence against the region's freedom aspirations. While the Caparrós case dominates the social justice agenda, Spanish media simultaneously reported the death of another figure from the country's dark historical period. Antonio Tejero, a former lieutenant colonel of the Civil Guard known for leading the failed coup d'état on February 23, 1981, has died. His ashes will rest in Torre del Mar after a modest ceremony in Xàtiva. The period of Spain's political transition, lasting from General Franco's death in 1975 to the early 1980s, was characterized by significant instability and numerous acts of political violence from both extremist groups and the state apparatus. Simultaneously, the Spanish Council of State issued an opinion regarding the government's proposal to enshrine the right to abortion in the constitution. The advisory body warned that fully "insuring" this right would require initiating a qualified procedure for amending the constitution, which entails dissolving parliament and calling new elections. This document indicates that the government's ambitious plans may face serious formal-legal barriers, despite public support for some of the demands. The convergence of these events shows how strongly contemporary Spain still grapples with its historical legacy while simultaneously attempting to shape modern standards for protecting civil rights. „García Caparrós fue víctima del peor terrorismo, el del Estado.” (García Caparrós was a victim of the worst terrorism, that of the State.) — Alejandro Rojas Marcos

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize historical justice and recognition of state guilt towards victims of the political transition. Conservative media highlight procedural difficulties in amending the constitution and maintain distance from redefining the concept of terrorism victims.

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