Salvador Puig Antich would have turned 75 years old this year, but instead, his family and Catalan society are commemorating the 50th anniversary of his death at the hands of the Franco regime. Puig Antich, a 25-year-old militant anarchist, was executed on March 2, 1974, by garrote, a brutal method of strangulation, making him the last person to be put to death in Barcelona’s La Model prison.
Efforts to seek justice for Puig Antich’s death have been met with frustration, particularly in Spanish, European, and Argentine courts. In Argentina, a judicial investigation into his execution is ongoing as part of a broader inquiry into crimes committed by the Franco regime during the dictatorship. Despite requests for collaboration from various entities, including the Catalan and European parliaments, the Spanish government under Mariano Rajoy refused to cooperate, citing expired crimes and the legality of the death penalty at the time.
The Argentine judge leading the investigation, María Servini, expressed disappointment at Spain’s lack of support, highlighting the challenges faced in obtaining information and cooperation from Spanish authorities. With the passing of time, many of the individuals accused in Puig Antich’s death have died, leaving little recourse for justice in the case.
Puig Antich’s family has also faced obstacles in seeking justice within the Spanish legal system. Despite efforts to challenge the death sentence through Spanish and European courts, as well as attempts to hold the judge responsible, they have been met with rejection and legal barriers. The family continues to keep Puig Antich’s memory alive through advocacy and education, but the emotional toll of reliving his tragic death remains a constant struggle.
Magda Oranich, a lawyer who closely followed Puig Antich’s case, reflects on the significance of his memory and the challenges of seeking justice in the aftermath of the Franco regime. She acknowledges the complexities of the 1977 amnesty law, which was initially seen as a step towards reconciliation but has since hindered efforts to investigate Franco-era crimes. Oranich emphasizes the importance of not granting amnesty for crimes against humanity and sees potential for Spain’s new democratic memory law to provide some form of compensation or acknowledgment.
As the legacy of Salvador Puig Antich endures through commemorations and advocacy efforts, his story serves as a reminder of the injustices of the past and the ongoing quest for truth and accountability in the face of historical atrocities. Despite the challenges and setbacks, his family and supporters remain steadfast in their commitment to honor his memory and seek justice for his untimely death.