Fascist Sympathizers Clash with Police as Remains of Spanish Fascist Leader Exhumed

(MENAFN) Around 200 fascist sympathizers gathered at a Madrid cemetery on Monday to symbolically welcome the exhumed remains of Spanish fascist leader Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera. The move follows the passing of Spain's Historical Memory Law in 2022, which prohibits acts that "humiliate victims" of the Spanish Civil War and subsequent dictatorship or "involve personal or collective exaltation" of those who supported the dictatorial regime. Primo de Rivera's body had previously rested near an altar in a large Catholic church where dictator Francisco Franco was also buried until his exhumation in 2019.

Primo de Rivera's supporters gathered at the Madrid cemetery that will become his new resting place. They welcomed him with arms raised in fascist salutes and singing the fascist hymn "Cara al Sol," which became Spain's national anthem under the Franco regime. However, tensions escalated as several group members attempted to force their way into the cemetery, clashing with police officers on site.

Law enforcement pushed back, detaining three people and identifying five others, according to Spanish daily El Pais. The incident highlights the ongoing presence of far-right sympathizers in Spain and their continued support for fascist ideology.

The Historical Memory Law also prompted authorities to remove Primo de Rivera's remains from his prominent resting place in "The Valley of the Fallen," a massive fascist monument to the Spanish Civil War that is also being rebranded under the law. In November, a similar far-right assembly occurred in Madrid, commemorating the death anniversaries of Franco and Primo de Rivera. During that event, participants also sang the fascist anthem and performed the fascist salute.

The government opened an investigation into that far-right gathering, with organizers facing fines of up to €150,000 (USD165,000). However, no formal fine has been publicly issued. The incidents highlight the ongoing struggle in Spain to come to terms with its fascist past and the continued presence of far-right sympathizers in the country. The government's efforts to enforce the Historical Memory Law face opposition from those who seek to uphold the legacy of the Franco regime and its fascist ideology.

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