Spain
Insulting the crown still a crimePosted Oct 20 2007
“Insulting the crown” remains a criminal offence in Spain with a punishment of up to two years in prison.
On Sept. 28 a judge in Spain ordered journalist photographer Jordi Ribot to hand over photos that would identify demonstrators, after Catalan nationalist protestors burned effigies of King Juan Carlos on his visit to the city of Gerona.
Though Ribot initially refused, he was forced to comply under threat of being charged with “disobedience to judicial authority”. Under Article 556 of the criminal law Ribot faced six months to one year in jail, according to Reporters Without Borders.
This came after the courts ordered the seizure of satirical paper El Jueves in July for a cover representing Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Letiza having sexual intercourse. The cartoon was part of a commentary on the government’s policy of encouraging a higher birth rate through financial rewards.
In another case, two journalists and contributors to Basque media Deia and Gara, had to appear before a court on Sept. 17 because they created a photocomposition showing King Juan Carlos hunting a bear, which had been drugged to make it easier to catch. Josetxu Rodriguez and Javier Ripa published the photocomposition in December 2006.
When Nicola Lococo from the daily Gara used the illustration for his own story, he also had to appear in court under the same charges.
The three face six to 24 months in prison under Articles 490 and 491 of the criminal law, according to Reporters Without Borders.
The law hasn’t been used that often in Spain because of the King’s personal popularity. But according to the Times, “the affection towards the King does not always extend to the institution itself. In a country with a strong republican streak, many pointedly call themselves Juancarlistas – supporters of Juan Carlos – not monarchists.