Lorraine Williamson
A 76-year-old retired Spanish civil servant, Pompeyo González Pascual, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for a series of letter bomb attacks aimed at halting Madrid’s support for Ukraine.
According to the BBC, González sent six explosive letters in late 2022, targeting high-profile figures and institutions.
Arrest and trial
González was arrested in January 2023 in Miranda de Ebro, a town in northern Spain. Spain’s top criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional, found him guilty of terrorism and preparing and placing explosives for terrorist purposes. He received a 10-year sentence for terrorism and an additional 8 years for the explosives charges.
Targets and impact
The explosive devices were sent to:
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
- US and Ukrainian ambassadors
- Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles
- Arms company Instalaza
- The EU’s satellite centre near Madrid
A Ukrainian embassy employee sustained minor injuries from one of the devices, while the remaining explosives were intercepted and neutralised by security services.
Evidence and guilty verdict
Despite González’s denial of the charges, the court presented substantial evidence of his guilt:
- Online purchases of bomb components
- Identical packaging and labelling of the devices
- Surveillance footage of González disposing of metallic fragments and matches
- DNA evidence matching the accused from the stamps and envelopes
- Analysis of his phone and computer showing visits to government websites and searches related to Russian entry requirements and jail terms for the elderly
- Discovery of Russian state media apps on his phone, which were banned in Spain at the time
Motivation and government response
The court concluded that González aimed to create significant social disruption, hoping to pressure the Spanish and US governments and other entities to withdraw their support for Ukraine.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged ongoing support for Ukraine, including €1bn in military aid for 2024. Spain has contributed Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft missiles, though it lags behind other EU countries in total military aid.
Also read: Letter bombs in Spain