Spanish Pensioner Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Letter Bombs Sent to Prime Minister and Embassies
In a shocking development, a Spanish court has sentenced Pompeyo Gonzalez Pascual, a 76-year-old pensioner, to 18 years in prison for his involvement in sending letter bombs to Spain's prime minister, the US and Ukrainian embassies in 2022. The court found Gonzalez Pascual guilty of terrorism and manufacturing explosives, stating that his actions were aimed at causing upheaval in Spanish society to pressure the governments of Spain, the United States, and other entities to stop supporting Ukraine. The homemade devices were intended for various targets, including government officials and military installations. Fortunately, thanks to security measures, the injuries were limited to a Ukrainian embassy staffer sustaining light injuries. Upon investigating his home, authorities found evidence of his intent, including materials to construct explosives. Gonzalez Pascual's arrest in January 2023 and subsequent conditional release earlier this year have raised questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in handling such cases. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the lengths to which individuals may go to express their opposition.
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