Plotters jailed

Press, 5 June 1982, Page 9

Plotters jailed

NZPA-Reuter Madrid ■ Spain's top military court yesterday sentenced two senior officers to maximum 30-year prison . terms for staging an abortive Rightwing coup last year, but recommended that they serve only 20 years.. ■

Lieutenant-Colonel Antonio Tejero Molina, aged 50, who stormed Parliament with 280 Civil. Guards, and LieutenantGeneral Jaime Milans del Bosch, aged 66, who ordered tanks on to the streets of Valencia in support, were convicted of military rebellion.

But in its summing up, released after the sentences, the Court said the rigorous, application of the law resulted in an excessive punishment and recommended

that both men's sentences be commuted to' 20 years. Of the other 30 defendants, including one civilian, 11 were acquitted and the others given much lightersentences than those demanded by the prosecutor. The Prime Minister (Mr Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo) said he was deeply concerned about the. acquittals and would ask his Cabinet to appeal against them. The Opposition Socialist Party also called' for an appeal, and said it was worried about the effect the sentences would have on democratic institutions and the constitutional role of the Armed Forces)

Defence lawyers said they would appeal against what they saw as harsh sentences.