Medieval revenge, state intimidation and prison never really leave us

APART from a two year break Francisco Miguel Montes Neiro, 71, has been in a Spanish prison for 35 years.

He is no mass murderer, he has never hurt a soul. He has however irked the authorities by being a persistent rebel. Most of us would be too if charges that placed us in the calaboose were dodgy to say the least.

The most serious offences he ever committed are contempt of court and ‘offences against public safety.’

For instance, prison breaks or failing to return to nick. Every time he is sent back to prison his sentence goes back to the beginning, just like snakes and ladders.

He will remain in prison until 2021.

Medieval revenge, state intimidation and prison never really leave the human condition. Today’s judiciary and dungeon keepers may use ipods but the mindset hasn’t changed. His family say he is a broken man, physically and psychologically. Shame on you, Spain; you won this uneven fight. Release Francisco now.

• THREE bird sanctuaries, two in areas disputed due to their location near Gibraltar or Morocco will not be approved.

Bird and wild life defences, like politician and town hall protection, are areas in which Spain excels. Sanctuaries that lost their status include the Chafarina Islands, located 4km from the Moroccan coast; another a migratory Africa European route that crosses the straits of Gibraltar.

These are now said to be international waters; therefore not subject to Spanish jurisdiction.

Diplomatic rifts avoided then, at the expense of wildlife. If the terrorists talk, why can’t the diplomats. Might it not be an idea to place bureaucrats and politicians in sanctuaries to leave us creatures of nature in peace?