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Spain: Prosecutors urge release of puppeteers in terror case Spain: Court orders release of puppeteers in terror case
(about 1 hour later)
MADRID — Spanish prosecutors on Wednesday called on the National Court to release two puppeteers whose arrest for allegedly praising terrorism in a show last week raised considerable controversy. MADRID — A Spanish court on Wednesday ordered the release of two puppeteers jailed since last week for allegedly praising terrorism in a controversial Carnival show funded with public money.
The prosecutors’ office said the two should be released but ordered to hand over their passports and report to the court daily while the investigation continues. The decision came after prosecutors recommended setting them free but ordering them to hand in their passports and report to the court daily while the investigation continues.
The puppeteers were detained without bail last Friday for using a sign saying, “Long Live Alka ETA,” in a word-play reference to Spain’s armed Basque group ETA and al-Qaida. Praising terrorism has been a crime in Spain since 1995. The puppeteers were detained without bail last Friday for using a sign during their performance saying, “Long Live Alka ETA,” a word-play reference to Spain’s armed Basque group ETA and al-Qaida. Praising terrorism has been a crime in Spain since 1995.
The satirical theater piece also featured the hanging of a judge’s effigy and police beatings, prompting parents attending with children to complain. The satirical theater piece funded by Madrid’s city government also featured the hanging of a judge’s effigy and police beatings, prompting parents attending with children to complain.
The acting conservative government backed the arrests but critics said they were an attack on freedom of speech. Spain’s caretaker national government run by the conservative Popular Party backed the arrests but critics including some opposition politicians said it was an attack on freedom of speech.
The prosecutor’s office had initially backed their jailing without bail, saying there was a risk the puppeteers would flee justice or repeat the alleged offense. It said Wednesday that with their passports retained and the show material confiscated this would no longer be the case. The prosecutor’s office initially backed the no bail-decision, citing a risk the puppeteers might try to flee or repeat the alleged offense. But it said Wednesday that taking the puppeteers’ passports and confiscating their show material reduced the risk.
Courts normally follow prosecutors’ recommendations and the two puppeteers were expected to be released later Wednesday. The puppeteers were expected to be released later Wednesday from a jail on the outskirts of Madrid.
Madrid city hall apologized Monday to parents for exposing their children to the violent puppet show but criticized the puppeteers’ jailing as disproportionate. Madrid Mayor Manuela Carmena apologized Monday to parents whose children saw the puppet show but criticized the puppeteers’ jailing as disproportionate.
It said it was unaware of the show’s content and had mistakenly advertised it as suitable for all ages. The show was commissioned by the city as part of Carnival celebrations. She launched an investigation into why city officials were unaware of the show’s content and mistakenly advertised it as suitable for all ages. The show was commissioned as part of Carnival celebrations.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.