Redcuban1959

Paris, Jun 15 (Prensa Latina) The Legion of Honor, the highest award in France, was officially withdrawn today from former President Nicolas Sarkozy, convicted of corruption and subject to another trial.

The Official Journal of the Republic reflects this Sunday the decision, which is automatic when a sentence against one of its wearers becomes final.

Sarkozy (president between 2007 and 2012) has been wearing an electronic bracelet since early February after being sentenced to one year in prison for corruption and influence peddling, an unprecedented decision in the country derived from the case dating back to 2021, called the “eavesdropping affair”.

As the punishment became final, after the appeals presented by the defense were invalid, the former president lost the Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit.

Thus, Sarkozy is only the second head of state to be subjected to such a trial, after Marshal Philippe Pétain, condemned in 1945 for high treason and collaboration with the enemy, Nazi Germany, in World War II.

Sarkozy also faces seven years in prison and a fine of 300,000 euros, requested at the end of March by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office in a trial along with several of his collaborators, accused of financing the 2007 campaign with Libyan money, based on an agreement with the then strongman of the North African country Muammar Gaddafi, who was assassinated in 2011.

Madrid, Jun 15 (Prensa Latina) Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in the last hours in favor of Palestine in several cities of Spain, and against Israel's aggression against Gaza.

Stop the genocide in Gaza and a tribute to the journalists who cover the terrible events, were two of the main slogans of the demonstrations in 138 Spanish cities or towns, in which support was also expressed for the State of Palestine.

The Stop the War platform was in charge of promoting the marches and rallies, the day before and this Sunday, with the presence among others of the film director Pedro Almodóvar, the actress Malena Alterio or the musician Miguel Ríos, as well as the former head of diplomacy of the European Union, Josep Borrel.

On the other hand, according to an official communiqué, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, intensified his diplomatic activity in response to the military escalation in the Middle East.

Albares held talks with his counterparts from Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with the aim of seeking an urgent de-escalation, curbing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reinforcing the commitment to a political and lasting solution.

According to the source, he spoke with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, and both agreed on the need to join efforts to contain the violence and move towards a just peace, based on the recognition of the State of Palestine and the two-state solution.

Albares also spoke with the Prime Minister and Chancellor of Palestine, Mohammad Mustafa, with whom he analyzed the situation in Gaza and the region.

In this context, he highlighted the recent resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, promoted by Spain and Palestine, which demands an immediate cease-fire.

Meanwhile, in his dialogue with the Lebanese Foreign Minister, Youssef Rajji, the Spanish diplomat expressed his concern about regional instability and called for restraint on the part of all actors.

In addition, Albares exchanged views with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, to whom he conveyed Spain's recognition of Egypt's mediation efforts to stop the war in Gaza and move towards the implementation of the two-state solution.

Finally, he spoke with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, to whom he stressed the urgent need to avoid a further escalation of violence and reaffirmed Spain's commitment to a secure and prosperous Middle East based on mutual respect.

On the issue of Israel's attacks on Iran and Tehran's response, the Government of Spain demanded restraint from the parties and an immediate cessation of violence.

Buenos Aires, Jun 15 (Prensa Latina) More than 100 leaders from dozens of countries expressed their support for Cristina Fernández and rejected the prison sentence and proscription that the former president of Argentina is facing today.

These expressions of support were channeled in a virtual and face-to-face meeting at the headquarters of the Justicialist Party (PJ), in which progress was made in the actions that make up the international strategy of the “Free Cristina” campaign, according to a press release from the political organization.

On behalf of the PJ, the secretaries of International Relations, “Tano” Menéndez, of Regional Relations, Soledad Magno, who shared the table with other party authorities, the former foreign minister Jorge Taiana and former Argentine ambassadors, exchanged with the participating leaders.

The former president will have to appear in court next Wednesday, where the judge in the case will have to evaluate the request of the defense to grant her house arrest. Justicialist leaders anticipate that a historic mobilization will take place to accompany Cristina to the judicial headquarters of Comodoro Py.

From the headquarters of the PJ at 130 Matheu Street in the Balvanera neighborhood, those present reviewed the main irregularities of the court case, establishing its connection with the national scenario of social, political and economic deterioration, as well as the regional and global context of the advance of the right wing.

The speakers emphasized that the ruling validates the judicialization of politics and deteriorates democratic institutionality, presenting characteristics typical of lawfare, a mechanism repeatedly used against the main Latin American popular leaders.

Representatives of national governments, legislators and party authorities from more than 20 countries took the floor to express their full support for Cristina and emphasize her innocence in the face of a judicial process plagued with irregularities, partiality and violations of due process, the press release added.

As part of the international strategy, it was announced the presence of international accompaniers in the mobilization of next Wednesday, June 18 -whose objective is to guarantee Cristina's return to her home after her presentation in Comodoro Py.

At the same time, actions will be carried out in front of Argentine Embassies abroad and several activities to make the “Cristina Libre” campaign visible.