The pensioner who sent letter bombs to Pedro Sánchez was prosecuted for terrorism

The judge of the National Court, José Luis Calama, has prosecuted the 74-year-old man arrested in Burgos for sending six letters with explosive devices, in November of l last year, to the president of the central government, Pedro Sánchez.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
20 June 2023 Tuesday 11:09
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The pensioner who sent letter bombs to Pedro Sánchez was prosecuted for terrorism

The judge of the National Court, José Luis Calama, has prosecuted the 74-year-old man arrested in Burgos for sending six letters with explosive devices, in November of l last year, to the president of the central government, Pedro Sánchez. The bombshell missives were also sent to Defense Minister Margarita Robles, the company's facilities in Zaragoza, the US and Ukrainian embassies in Madrid and the satellite center at Torrejón Air Base. from Slate

In his interlocutory order, the magistrate attributes the crime of terrorism to Pompeyo González, despite the fact that there are no indications that he belongs to or collaborates with any gang or organized terrorist group, in addition to another of manufacturing and using explosive devices, flammable or incendiary with terrorist intent. This retiree is currently free pending trial, after spending three months in pre-trial detention.

The two crimes are attributed to the accused in their aggravated mode, since it is taken into account that the messages were expressly addressed to the President of the Government and the Minister of Defense with their first and last names.

By the judge, the actions imputed to him, the context in which they take place (the war in Ukraine), the feasibility of the devices exploding (as happened in the case of the Ukrainian embassy) and the recipients of the his actions, "evidence that in the spirit of the prosecuted" was to "alter the public peace". As proof of this, the judge considers it proven that he transmitted the message to convince that the actions were carried out by people linked to Russia. The judge believes that González's intention was to force the public authorities of our country to refrain from the support shown in favor of Ukraine following the Russian aggression.

One of the indications on which the judge relies to prosecute him are the materials found at his home during the police search. They found several cylindrical barrels that may correspond to the same type of cylinders that housed the incendiary piston of home-made explosive devices; several screws together with springs similar to the "percussion" used in incendiary devices; and drills with precision drills similar to those used to make the explosives, apart from more materials.

There is still more evidence, such as traces of DNA found in the artifacts, in which a genetic profile appears corresponding to that of a man, who was later found to be González. Likewise, the cardboard envelopes addressed to the Ministry of the Presidency, the United States Embassy, ​​and Torrejón, which did not explode, were found partially sealed by the Automated Processing Center (CTA) in Valladolid. The images captured by the security cameras of this center showed that the artifacts had been processed there. The agents also followed the trail of the stamps to verify that it was Pompeyo González who had bought them. Envelopes purchased online were also able to link them directly to him.