Thousands marched in Spain on Sunday to show their support for top judge Baltasar Garzon, who is on trial for abuse of power over his investigations into Franco-era abuses. The 56-year-old judge is being prosecuted for ordering a probe into the disappearance of 114,000 people during Spain's 1936-39 civil war and General Francisco Franco's subsequent dictatorship.
The Supreme Court last week opened a case, following a complaint filed by two right-wing groups, against Garzon, who won international fame with his attempt to extradite Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet from London.
"Garzon, friend, the people are with you" and "We demand justice," shouted supporters at the Madrid rally, some carrying black-and-white photos of relatives killed in the civil war and under Franco's dictatorship.
"I came to demonstrate against the injustice the judge faces and in memory of my grandfather who suffered repression under Franco," said David Ortega, 36, who marched with his girlfriend and two-year-old son.
Artists, union representatives and left-wing politicians led the procession through the city with a huge banner that read: "Solidarity with Garzon. Against the Crimes of Franco."
Garcon is charged with exceeding his powers on the grounds that the alleged crimes were covered by an amnesty agreed in 1977 as Spain moved towards democracy two years after Franco's death.
Garzon argues that the acts were crimes against humanity and therefore not subject to the amnesty agreed by Spain's main political parties.
If convicted he would not go to prison but could be suspended from the legal profession for up to 20 years, putting an end to his career.