A new public controversy is brewing in Spain: the Association for International Human Rights Law (EADIPH) has launched a petition urging the government to consider pardoning former Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz. He was recently dismissed from his position and convicted for disclosing confidential information. By Wednesday evening, hundreds of citizens had already voiced their support for the initiative, believing that a pardon would demonstrate maturity and respect for the country’s institutions.
The organizers stress that this is not about granting privilege to an individual, but about upholding the principles of justice and trust in government institutions. In their view, the move is not connected to politics or ideology, but reflects the universal values of international law and humanism. The petition notes that the appeal for a pardon comes from people of diverse professions and backgrounds, united by their belief in justice and in the institutions’ ability to acknowledge mistakes.
The García Ortiz case
Legal proceedings against García Ortiz began after he was implicated in the leak of an email sent by the lawyer of businessman Alberto González Amador. González Amador is the partner of Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso and is a defendant in a tax fraud case. The scandal also centered on a press release issued by the prosecutor’s office, which was intended to refute rumors circulating within Ayuso’s circle about negotiations between her partner and the prosecutor.
The Supreme Court found García Ortiz guilty of breaching official secrecy. As a result, he was removed from office, fined 7,200 euros, and ordered to pay 10,000 euros in compensation to González Amador. The former attorney general resigned immediately after the verdict was announced, before the full text of the ruling was published. The following day, the court demanded he pay the ordered sums.
Public reaction
The association that initiated the petition claims the verdict has caused significant public outcry and called into question the protection of fundamental rights. According to them, the situation has sparked debate not only within professional circles, but also concern among ordinary citizens, who are now questioning the fairness and impartiality of the judicial system.
The statement emphasizes that García Ortiz’s actions were not connected to corruption, personal gain, or misuse of public funds. His conduct is seen as an effort to protect the interests of the state and prevent the spread of false information that could undermine the work of constitutional institutions. The organizers view the pardon in this case as an act of responsibility rather than a source of conflict.
Legal nuances
In Spain, the right to grant pardons belongs solely to the government. So far, authorities have made no official statements regarding a possible pardon for García Ortiz. According to legal experts, no formal petitions have been submitted to the Ministry of Justice requesting a review of the sentence.
The campaign organizers remind the public that a pardon does not overturn the conviction itself, but merely relieves the convicted person from serving the sentence, in full or in part. It does not question the court’s ruling nor end the legal debate, but serves as a tool to correct particularly unjust situations and protect public interest.
Support and outlook
The initiative has already been joined by the Progressive Association of Prosecutors (Unión Progresista de Fiscales, UPF), which was previously led by García Ortiz himself. According to EADIPH, their organization brings together over a hundred experts from Spain and Latin America who share the values of international law and human rights.
The petition emphasizes that a request for pardon is not an attempt to exonerate the convicted individual, but a means to prevent potential harm to the entire system of state institutions. According to the authors, the mechanism of pardon should be used only in exceptional cases, when it is necessary to protect justice and prevent irreversible consequences for society.
