Audiencia Nacional

Audiencia-Nacional-141115

Audiencia Nacional is a special and exceptional high court in Spain. It has jurisdiction over major crimes such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crime, as well as certain civil and administrative cases. The court is based in Madrid and was established in 1977 during the Spanish transition to democracy.

History

The Audiencia Nacional was created to handle cases that were beyond the scope of regional courts, particularly those involving national security and large-scale criminal activities. It was part of the judicial reforms that took place during the transition from the Francoist dictatorship to a democratic government.

Structure

The Audiencia Nacional is divided into several chambers:

• The Criminal Chamber (Sala de lo Penal) handles serious criminal cases, including terrorism and organized crime.
• The Administrative Chamber (Sala de lo Contencioso-Administrativo) deals with cases involving public administration.
• The Social Chamber (Sala de lo Social) addresses labor disputes and social security issues.

Jurisdiction

The court has nationwide jurisdiction over specific types of cases:

• Terrorism
• Drug trafficking
• Organized crime
• Major financial crimes
• Crimes committed outside of Spain that affect Spanish citizens or interests

Notable Cases

The Audiencia Nacional has presided over several high-profile cases, including:

• The trial of ETA members, a Basque separatist group.
• The prosecution of major drug cartels.
• The investigation and trial of the 11 March 2004 Madrid train bombings.

Judges and Prosecutors

Judges and prosecutors at the Audiencia Nacional are appointed based on their experience and expertise in handling complex cases. They often collaborate with international law enforcement agencies to tackle transnational crimes.

Criticism and Controversies

The court has faced criticism for its handling of certain cases, particularly those involving political figures and activists. Some argue that its broad jurisdiction can lead to overreach and potential abuses of power.

See Also

• Supreme Court of Spain
• Constitutional Court of Spain
• Judiciary of Spain
• Spanish transition to democracy

External Links

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