Jaing Zemin
Photo: theatlantic.com
A Spanish court has issued arrest warrants for five retired Chinese officials, including former President and Party Leader Jiang Zemin. The ruling, made on November 18 by Spain’s Audiencia Nacional (National Court), calls the five for questioning for alleged crimes against humanity.
The court’s decision follows a complaint lodged against seven Chinese officials by Spanish NGO Comite de Apoyo al Tibet in 2005. The group claims that the administrators were complicit in acts of genocide committed against the Tibetan people by the Chinese government.
The five face detainment when travelling through any country which has signed an extradition treaty with Spain, and their foreign bank accounts could be frozen.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hong Lei, expressed concern over the ruling and its effect on the countries’ diplomatic relationship. “We urge Spain to face up to China’s solemn position, change the wrong decision, repair the severe damage, and refrain from sending wrong signals to the Tibetan-independence forces and hurting China-Spain relations,” Hong said.
The Spanish ambassador was called to Beijing on November 21 to discuss the action with the Chinese government. Spanish diplomatic sources report that China shared it’s “deep unease” over the courts proceedings during the meeting.
The case is being tried under a legal principle known as universal jurisdiction. This principle allows the court to try foreign nationals for crimes against humanity committed outside of its usual jurisdictional boundaries.
Late Chilean dictator General Pinochet was tried under the law, leading to his arrest in London in 1998.
In a separate ruling, former President and Party Secretary Hu Jin Tao has also been indicted for his role in genocide and inhuman acts against the Tibetan people. The court ordered that the retired leader be sent questions about his former policies, but have not yet called for his arrest.
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