This article discusses the tragic event in 2003, when Spanish cameraman José Couso was killed when American soldiers bombed the hotel he was staying in, when they were aiming at enemy soldiers. José Couso's death caused a public uproar. People protested in Spain, claiming that the soldiers responsible for sending the hotel bomb, should have to answer for their actions. The investigation into Couso's death was closed when the court claimed that his death was an act of war, and therefore those involved could not be put to trial. The family was able to successfully appeal this decision, and the appeal was excepted by the Supreme Court of Spain. The case was reopened by Santiago Pedraz, and he sent out a search warrant for three U.S soldiers.
This article received information from wikileaks that reveals the U.S government put pressure on the Spanish government to close the court case.
This is a significant issue because if roles were reversed, an American cameraman was killed by Spanish soldiers, it is likely the U.S government would ensure those responsible were put behind bars. It is unsettling that the U.S government can threaten the Spanish government in way that denies them the ability to seek justice for their own citizens.
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