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D-ng ^3|x U !UKUS.,  _ COMMITTEEAGAINSTTORTURE  G.K.v.Switzerland  CommunicationNo.219/2002 p 7May2003 P  CAT/C/30/D/219/2002 0  VIEWS  P  Submittedby:G.K.(representedbycounsel)   Allegedvictim:Thecomplainant  Stateparty:Switzerland  Dateofcomplaint:18October2002(initialsubmission) p   TheCommitteeagainstTorture,establishedunderArticle17oftheConventionagainstTortureand @ OtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment, 0 Meetingon7May2003, ` HavingconcludeditsconsiderationofcomplaintNo.219/2002,submittedtotheCommitteeagainst @ TorturebyMs.G.K.underarticle22oftheConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel,Inhuman 0 orDegradingTreatmentorPunishment,   Havingtakenintoaccountallinformationmadeavailabletoitbythecomplainant,hiscounseland "  theStateparty, #! Adoptsthefollowing: % # I  Decisionunderarticle22,paragraph7,oftheConvention  P(#& c  1.1ThecomplainantisG.K.,aGermannational,bornon12January1956,atthetimeofthe  +p&) submissionofthecomplaintheldatthepolicedetention_center_Ԁat_Flums_Ԁ(Switzerland),awaiting ,`'* extraditiontoSpain.SheclaimsthatherextraditiontoSpainwouldconstituteaviolationby -P(+ Switzerlandofarticles3and15oftheConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel,Inhumanor -@), _Degrading_Ԁ_Treatment_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_Punishment_._She_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_represented_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_counsel_.  1.2_On_Ԁ22October2002,_the_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_forwarded_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complaint_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_comments_  _and_Ԁ_requested_,_under_Ԁ_Rule_Ԁ108,_paragraph_Ԁ1,_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Committee__s_Ԁ_rules_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_procedure_,_not_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_extradite_  _the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_Spain_Ԁ_while_Ԁ_her_Ԁ_complaint_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_under_Ԁ_consideration_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Committee_._The_ p _Committee_Ԁ_indicated_,_however_,_that_Ԁ_this_Ԁ_request_Ԁ_could_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_reviewed_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_light_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_new_Ԁ_arguments_ `  _presented_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_basis_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_guarantees_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_assurances_Ԁ_from_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Spanish_ P  _authorities_._The_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_acceded_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_this_Ԁ_request_. @  1.3_By_Ԁ_note_Ԁ_verbale_Ԁ_of_Ԁ8November2002,_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_submitted_Ԁ_its_Ԁ_observations_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_the_  p  _admissibility_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_merits_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complaint_;_it_Ԁ_also_Ԁ_asked_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_withdraw_Ԁ_its_Ԁ_request_Ԁ_for_ `  _interim_Ԁ_measures_,_pursuant_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_Rule_Ԁ108,_paragraph_Ԁ7,_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Committees_Ԁ_rules_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_procedure_._In_Ԁ_his_ P  _comments_,_dated_Ԁ9December2002,_counsel_Ԁ_asked_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_maintain_Ԁ_its_Ԁ_request_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_interim_ @  _measures_,_pending_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_final_Ԁ_decision_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complaint_._On_Ԁ6January2003,_the_Ԁ_Committee_,_through_ 0  _its_Ԁ_Special_Ԁ_Rapporteur_,_decided_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_withdraw_Ԁ_its_Ԁ_request_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_interim_Ԁ_measures_.    _Facts_   2.1_In_Ԁ1993,_the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_worked_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_language_Ԁ_teacher_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_Barcelona_,_where_Ԁ_she_Ԁ_became_  _involved_Ԁ_with_Ԁ_one_Ԁ_Benjamin_Ԁ_Ramos_Ԁ_Vega_,_a_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_national_._During_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_time_,_the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_and_  _Mr_._Ramos_Ԁ_Vega_Ԁ_both_Ԁ_rented_Ԁ_apartments_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_Barcelona_,_one_Ԁ_at_Ԁ_calle_Ԁ_Padilla_,_rented_Ԁ_on_Ԁ21April1993 p _in_Ԁ_Mr_._Ramos_Ԁ_Vega__s_Ԁ_name_,_and_Ԁ_one_Ԁ_at_Ԁ_calle_Ԁ_Aragon_,_rented_Ԁ_on_Ԁ11August1993_in_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant__s_ ` _name_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_period_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_one_Ԁ_year_._According_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_counsel_,_the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_had_Ԁ_returned_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_Germany_ P _by_ԀOctober1993. @ 2.2_On_Ԁ28April1994,_Felipe_Ԁ_San_Ԁ_Epifanio_,_a_Ԁ_convicted_Ԁ_member_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_commando_Ԁ _Barcelona__of_  p _the_Ԁ_Basque_Ԁ_terrorist_Ԁ_organization_Ԁ _Euskadi_Ԁ_ta_Ԁ_Askatasuna_(_ETA_),_was_Ԁ_arrested_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_police_ ` _in_Ԁ_Barcelona_._The_Ԁ_judgment_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Audiencia_Ԁ_Nacional_,_dated_Ԁ24September1997,_sentencing_Ԁ_him_ P _and_Ԁ_other_Ԁ_ETA_Ԁ_members_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_prison_Ԁ_terms_,_states_Ԁ_that_,_upon_Ԁ_his_Ԁ_arrest_,_Mr_._San_Ԁ_Epifanio_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_thrown_ @ _to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_floor_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_several_Ԁ_policemen_Ԁ_after_Ԁ_he_Ԁ_had_Ԁ_drawn_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_gun_,_thereby_Ԁ_causing_Ԁ_him_Ԁ_minor_Ԁ_injuries_Ԁ_which_ 0 _reportedly_Ԁ_healed_Ԁ_within_Ԁ_two_Ԁ_weeks_._Based_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_his_Ԁ_testimony_,_the_Ԁ_police_Ԁ_searched_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_apartment_Ԁ_at_   _calle_Ԁ_Padilla_Ԁ1/_on_Ԁ28April1994,_confiscating_Ԁ_firearms_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_explosives_Ԁ_stored_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_commando_. ! _Subsequent_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_this_Ԁ_search_,_Mr_._Ramos_Ԁ_Vega_Ԁ_left_Ԁ_Spain_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_Germany_. "  2.3_The_Ԁ_Juzgado_Ԁ_Central_Ԁ_de_Ԁ_Instrucci;n_ԀNo.4_de_Ԁ_Madrid_Ԁ_issued_Ԁ_an_Ԁ_arrest_Ԁ_warrant_,_dated_Ԁ23_May_ $" 1994,_against_Ԁ_both_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_Mr_._Ramos_Ԁ_Vega_Ԁ_under_Ԁ_suspicion_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_ETA_Ԁ_collaboration_Ԁ_as_ % # _well_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_possession_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_firearms_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_explosives_._A_Ԁ_writ_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_issued_Ԁ_on_Ԁ6February1995_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_same_ p&!$ _examining_Ԁ_judge_Ԁ_indicting_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_Mr_._Ramos_Ԁ_Vega_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_above_Ԁ_offenses_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_having_ `'"% _rented_Ԁ _under_Ԁ_their_Ԁ_name_,_the_Ԁ_apartments_Ԁ_at_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_streets_Ԁ_Padilla_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_Aragon_,_respectively_,_places_ P(#& _which_Ԁ_served_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_refuge_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_hiding_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_arms_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_explosives_,_which_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_members_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_ @)$' _commando_Ԁ_had_Ԁ_at_Ԁ_their_Ԁ_disposition_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_carrying_Ԁ_out_Ԁ_their_Ԁ_actions_.2/ 0*%( 2.4_On_Ԁ10_March_Ԁ1995,_the_Ԁ_Berlin_Ԁ_public_Ԁ_prosecutor__s_Ԁ_office_Ԁ_initiated_Ԁ_criminal_Ԁ_proceedings_Ԁ_against_ ,`'* _the_Ԁ_complainant_,_following_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_request_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_Ministry_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_Justice_._However_,_the_Ԁ_German_ -P(+ _authorities_Ԁ_decided_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_discontinue_Ԁ_proceedings_Ԁ_on_Ԁ23November1998,_in_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_absence_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_reasonable_ -@), suspicionofanoffencepunishableunderGermanlaw.InalettertotheSpanishauthorities,the  Berlinpublicprosecutorsofficestatedthattheapartmentat_calle_Ԁ_Padilla_,wherethefirearmsand  explosiveshadbeenfound,hadnotbeenrentedbythecomplainantbutbyMr.RamosVega,while  onlyabottlefilledwithleadsulfide-whichisnotusedfortheproductionofexplosives!hadbeen  foundinthecomplainantsapartmentat_calle_ԀAragon. p 2.5SubsequenttoMr.RamosVegasextraditiontoSpainin1996,the_Audiencia_Ԁ_Nacional_,by P  judgmentof24September1997,convictedhimofcollaborationwithanarmedgroupand @  falsificationoflicenseplatesinrelationwithterroristactivities( con_agravante_Ԁde_relaci;n_Ԁcon 0  _actividades_Ԁ_terroristas_),sentencinghimtotwotermsofimprisonment,oneofsevenyearsandthe  p  secondoffouryearsandthreemonths.However,the_Audiencia_Ԁ_Nacional_acquittedhimofthe `  chargesinrelationtothestorageoffirearmsandtothepossessionofexplosivesduetolackofproof P  thatheknownabouttheexistenceofthesematerials,notingthathehadrentedtheapartmentat_calle_ @  _Padilla_attherequestandfortheuseofafriend,DoloresLopez_Resina_Ԁ( Lola).Thejudgment 0  statesthat,immediatelyfollowingthesearchofthatapartment,theconvictassistedtheescapeof   severalmembersofthecommando Barcelonabyrenting,andchangingthelicenseplatesof,acar  whichhe,togetherwiththesemembers,usedtoleaveBarcelona.  2.6ThecomplainantwasarrestedbySwisspolicewhencrossingtheAustrian-SwissborderatSt.  _Margrethen_Ԁon14March2002,onthebasisofaSpanishsearchwarrant,dated3June1994.Shewas  provisionallydetained,pendingafinaldecisiononherextraditiontoSpain.Duringahearingon20 p March2002,sherefusedtoconsenttoasimplifiedextraditionprocedure.Bydiplomaticnoteof22 ` April2002,SpainsubmittedanextraditionrequesttotheStateparty,basedonaninternationalarrest P warrantdated1April2002,issuedbythe_Juzgado_ԀCentralde_Instrucci;n_ԀNo.4atthe_Audiencia_ @ _Nacional_.Thiswarrantisbasedonthesamechargesastheoriginalarrestwarrantandthewritof 0 indictmentagainstboththecomplainantandMr.RamosVega.  p 2.7Byletterof7June2002,thecomplainant,throughcounsel,askedtheFederalOfficeofJustice P torejecttheextraditionrequestoftheSpanishgovernment,claimingthatbyreferringthecriminal @ proceedingstotheGermanauthorities,Spainhadlostthecompetencetoprosecutethecomplainant, 0 thusprecludingthecomplainantsextraditiontothatcountry.3/Moreover,thefactthattheSpanish   authorities,intheirextraditionrequesttotheStateparty,haddeliberatelynotrevealedwhoactually ! rentedtheapartmentat_calle_Ԁ_Padilla_,indicatedthatthecomplainantwastobetriedforpolitical "  ratherthanjuridicalreasons.Sincepoliticaloffenseswerenotextraditable,4/counselarguedthat, #! contrarytothegeneralrulethatdecisionsonextraditionswerepurelyaformalmatter,theStateparty $" wasobligedtoexaminewhetherareasonablesuspicionofanoffenseexistedwithrespecttothe % # complainant,intheabsenceofanylinkwiththefirearmsandexplosivesfoundinthe_calle_Ԁ_Padilla_ p&!$ apartment,orwiththeescapevehicle.Incounselsopinion,thecomplainantsextraditionisalso `'"% precludedbythefactthattheSpanisharrestwarrantwasbasedontestimonywhichhadallegedly P(#& beenextractedfromMr.San_Epifanio_Ԁbytorture. @)$' 2.8Bydecisionof8August2002,theFederalOfficeofJusticegrantedtheSpanishextradition  +p&) request,subjecttotheconditionthatthecomplainantwasnottobetriedforpoliticalmotivationsto ,`'* committheallegedoffencesandthattheseverityofpunishmentwasnottobeincreasedonthebasis -P(+ ofsuchamotivation.Thisdecisionwasbasedonthefollowingconsiderations:(1)thatthe -@), examinationofreciprocalcriminalliabilitywasbasedonthefactssetoutintheextraditionrequest,  theevaluationoffactsandevidenceandmattersofinnocenceorguiltbeingreservedtotheSpanish  courts;(2)thatnoissueofne_bis_ԀinidemarosesincetheGermanauthorities,forlackofterritorial  competence,hadnotexhaustivelydealtwiththesequestions;(3)thatthechargesbroughtagainstthe  complainantwerenotofapurelypoliticalnature;(4)thatthecomplainantwasnotatdirectand p personalriskofbeingtorturedduringincommunicadodetentionfollowingherextraditiontoSpain, `  becauseshecouldalreadyengagetheservicesofalawyerinSpainpriortoherextraditionand P  becausesheenjoyeddiplomaticprotectionbyGermany;and(5)thatevenifMr.San_Epifanio_s @  testimonyhadbeenextractedbytorture,thiswasnottheonlyevidenceonwhichthechargesagainst 0  thecomplainanthadbeenbased.  p  2.9On8September2002,counsellodgedanadministrativecourtactionwiththeFederalTribunal P  againstthedecisionoftheFederalOfficeofJusticetoextraditethecomplainant.Inadditiontothe @  reasonsstatedinhismotionof7June2002,hecriticizedthattheSpanishextraditionrequestlacked 0  thenecessaryprecisionrequiredbyarticle14,paragraph2,oftheEuropeanConventionofMutual   LegalAssistanceinCriminalMatters(1959)5/sinceitwasessentiallybasedonthearrestwarrant  of1994andfailedtotakeintoaccounttheresultsofthesubsequentcriminalproceedingsin  GermanyaswellasinSpain.Inparticular,itdidnotclarifythattheapartmentat_calle_Ԁ_Padilla_was  rentedbyMr.RamosVegaexclusively,thatthelatterhadbeenacquittedofthechargesrelatingto  thestorageoffirearmsandpossessionofexplosivesbythe_Audiencia_Ԁ_Nacional_,andthatthepowder  foundintheapartmentat_calle_ԀAragonwasleadsulfidewhichcouldnotbeusedfortheproduction p ofexplosives.Thefactsestablishedintheextraditionrequestwere,therefore,tobedisregarded;the ` requestitselfwasabusiveandhadtoberejected.Withrespecttoarticle3oftheConventionagainst P TortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment,counselsubmittedthat, @ althoughintheorythecomplainantenjoyeddiplomaticprotectionbyGermanyandcouldalready 0 engagetheservicesofalawyerofherchoiceinSpainpriortoherextradition,theserightscouldin  p practiceonlybeexercisedafterincommunicadodetentionhadended.Regardingarticle15ofthe ` Convention,counselcriticizedthattheSpanishextraditionrequestfailedtoindicateonwhich P additionalevidencethechargesagainstthecomplainanthadbeenbased.Insofarastheevidencewas @ foundindirectlythroughMr.San_Epifanio_stestimony,counselclaimsthatthetheoryofthe tainted 0 fruitsofthepoisonoustreeprecludestheuseofsuchevidencebytheSwisscourts.   2.10Byletterof20September2002,theFederalOfficeofJusticeaskedtheFederalTribunalto "  dismissthecomplainantslegalaction.Counselrespondedtothismotionbyletter,dated15October #! 2002,inwhichhemaintainedandfurtherexplainedhisarguments. $" 2.11TheSwisssectionofAmnestyInternationalsentanamicuscuriaebrief,dated2October2002, p&!$ onbehalfofthecomplainanttotheFederalTribunal,statingthatSpanishlegislationprovidedfor `'"% thepossibilityofkeepingsuspectsofterroristoffensesinincommunicadodetentionforaperiodup P(#& tofivedaysduringwhichtheycouldonlybevisitedbyalegalaidlawyer,andthatsuchdetention @)$' increasedtheriskoftortureandmaltreatment.Althoughtorturewasnotsystematicallyinflictedby 0*%( the_Polica_Ԁ_Nacional_orthe_Guardia_ԀCivil,instancesofmassivemaltreatmentofETAsuspectsstill  +p&) occurred,includingsexualassaults,rape,blowstothehead,puttingplasticbagsoverthehead( la ,`'* _bolsa_),deprivationofsleep,electricshocks,threatsofexecutionetc.AmnestyInternational -P(+ considereditindispensablefortheStatepartytomakethecomplainantsextraditiontoSpainsubject -@), tothefollowingassurances:(1)thatundernocircumstancesthecomplainantshouldbehandedover  tothe_Guardia_ԀCivilorthe_Polica_Ԁ_Nacional_,butthatshebeplaceddirectlyundertheauthorityof  the_Audiencia_Ԁ_Nacional_inMadrid;(2)thatthecomplainantbegranteddirectandunlimitedaccess  toalawyerofherchoice;and(3)thatshebebroughtbeforeajudgeassoonaspossiblefollowing  herextraditiontoSpain. p 2.12Byjudgmentof21October2002,theFederalTribunaldismissedthecomplainantsaction, P  upholdingthedecisionoftheFederalOfficeofJusticetogranttheSpanishextraditionrequest.The @  Tribunalbaseditselfonthefactssetoutintheextraditionrequestandconcludedthatthe 0  complainantwaspunishableunderSwisslaw(eitherasaparticipantinorasasupporterofaterrorist  p  organizationpursuingtheobjectivetocommitpoliticallymotivatedcrimesofviolence)aswellas `  underSpanishlaw.TheTribunaldidnotpronounceitselfonthecomplainantschallengesastothe P  factscontainedintheextraditionrequest,rulingthatquestionsoffactsandevidencewereforthe @  Spanishcourtstodecide.Moreover,sinceETAwasnotmerelyagroupstrugglingforpoliticalpower 0  byemployinglegitimatemeans,theTribunaldidnotconsiderthecomplainantsparticipationinor,   respectively,hersupportofETAapoliticaloffencewithinthemeaningofarticle3oftheEuropean  ConventiononExtradition.Thefactthatcriminalproceedingsagainstthecomplainanthadbeen  closedbytheBerlinpublicprosecutorsofficeforlackofareasonablesuspicionofanoffensedid  not,intheTribunalsopinion,bartheSwissauthoritiesfromextraditinghertoSpainbecausethe  decisiontocloseproceedingswasnotbasedonmaterialgroundsandhadbeentakenbyathirdState.  6/WithrespecttotheallegedriskoftorturefollowingthecomplainantsextraditiontoSpain,the p TribunalheldthatSpain,beingademocraticStateandamemberofthepertinentregionaland ` universalhumanrightsconventions,couldnotbepresumedtosystematicallypracticetorture. P Moreover,theTribunalrejectedtheclaimthatthechargesagainstthecomplainantwereprimarily @ basedontestimonyextractedbytorture,intheabsenceofanysupportingevidence.7/ 0 2.13Accordingtocounselsinformation,thecomplainantwasextraditedtoSpainafterthe ` Committee,on6January2003,decidedtowithdrawitsrequestforinterimmeasures. P  Thecomplaint  0 3.1CounselclaimsthatfollowinganextraditiontoSpain,thecomplainantwouldbeatriskofbeing ! torturedduringamaximumoffivedaysofincommunicadodetentionandthatSwitzerlandwould, "  therefore,beviolatingarticle3oftheConventionifshewereextraditedtoSpain.Insubstantiation #! ofthisclaim,counselreferstoseveralreports8/oninstancesoftortureinflictedonsuspected $" membersorsupportersofETAaswellastotheCommitteesviewsonCommunicationNo.63/1997 % # (_Josu_Ԁ_Arkauz_Ԁ_Arana_Ԁv.France)9/concerningtheextraditionofanETAsuspectfromFranceto p&!$ Spain,wheretheCommitteestatedthat notwithstandingthelegalguaranteesastotheconditions `'"% underwhichitcouldbeimposed,therewerecasesofprolongeddetentionincommunicado,whenthe P(#& detaineecouldnotreceivetheassistanceofalawyerofhischoice,whichseemedtofacilitatethe @)$' practiceoftorture.10/Counselalsosubmitsthat,intheabsenceofguaranteesfromtheSpanish 0*%( authorities,theauthorcouldnot,inpractice,obtainaccesstoalawyerofherchoiceandto  +p&) diplomaticprotectionbyGermanyuntilafterincommunicadodetentionhadended.Furthermore, ,`'* counselarguesthatthenumerousreportsoncasesoftortureandmaltreatmentinSpanishprisons -P(+ indicatedaconsistentpatternofgross,flagrantormassviolationsofhumanrights,afindingwhich -@), _was_Ԁ_reinforced_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_fact_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_ETA_Ԁ_suspects_Ԁ_had_Ԁ_been_Ԁ_killed_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_past_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_death_Ԁ_squads_Ԁ(_Grupos_  _Antiterroristas_Ԁ_de_Ԁ_Liberaci;n_/_GAL_)_linked_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_former_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_government_._In_Ԁ_counsel__s_Ԁ_view_,_the_  _complainant__s_Ԁ_personal_Ԁ_risk_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_being_Ԁ_tortured_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_increased_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_fact_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_extradition_  _request_Ԁ_had_Ԁ_been_Ԁ_based_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_false_Ԁ_charges_,_which_Ԁ_indicated_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_Spain_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_unwilling_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_grant_Ԁ_the_  _complainant_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_fair_Ԁ_trial_._In_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_absence_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_any_Ԁ_clear_Ԁ_evidence_Ԁ_against_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant_,_it_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_not_ p _excluded_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_police_Ԁ_would_Ԁ_try_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_extract_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_confession_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_torture_. `  3.2_Counsel_Ԁ_claims_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_granting_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_extradition_Ԁ_request_Ԁ_which_Ԁ_exclusively_Ԁ_relied_Ԁ_on_ @  _Felipe_Ԁ_San_Ԁ_Epifanio__s_Ԁ_testimony_,_extracted_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_torture_,_and_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_evidence_Ԁ_found_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_basis_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_this_ 0  _testimony_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_apartment_Ԁ_at_Ԁ_calle_Ԁ_Padilla_,_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_violated_Ԁ_article_Ԁ15_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Convention_.  p  _Counsel_Ԁ_argues_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_use_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_extradition_Ԁ_proceedings_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_evidence_Ԁ_obtained_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_result_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_torture_Ԁ_runs_ `  _counter_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_spirit_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Convention_Ԁ_since_Ԁ_it_Ԁ_provides_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_authorities_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_requesting_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_with_ P  _an_Ԁ_incentive_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_disregard_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_prohibition_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_torture_._By_Ԁ_granting_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_extradition_Ԁ_request_,_the_ @  _Federal_Ԁ_Office_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_Justice_Ԁ_de_Ԁ_facto_Ԁ_accepted_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_evidence_Ԁ_obtained_Ԁ_through_Ԁ_torture_. 0   _The_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party__s_Ԁ_observations_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_admissibility_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_merits_   4.1_On_Ԁ8November2002,_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_submitted_Ԁ_its_Ԁ_observations_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_admissibility_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_merits_  _of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complaint_._It_Ԁ_does_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_contest_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_admissibility_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complaint_.  4.2_The_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_reiterates_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_questions_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_facts_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_evidence_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_well_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_innocence_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_guilt_ p _cannot_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_examined_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_an_Ԁ_extradition_Ԁ_procedure_,_these_Ԁ_matters_Ԁ_being_Ԁ_reserved_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_trial_Ԁ_courts_. ` _Since_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_free_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_invoke_Ԁ_her_Ԁ_arguments_Ԁ_before_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_courts_,_an_Ԁ_extradition_ P _to_Ԁ_Spain_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_possibly_Ԁ_even_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_her_Ԁ_own_Ԁ_interest_Ԁ_because_Ԁ_it_Ԁ_provided_Ԁ_her_Ԁ_with_Ԁ_an_Ԁ_opportunity_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_be_ @ _released_Ԁ_from_Ԁ_prison_Ԁ_following_Ԁ_an_Ԁ_acquittal_. 0 4.3_With_Ԁ_regard_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant__s_Ԁ_claim_Ԁ_under_Ԁ_article_Ԁ3,_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_submits_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_isolated_ ` _cases_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_maltreatment_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_prisons_Ԁ_fall_Ԁ_short_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_attesting_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_systematic_Ԁ_practice_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_torture_Ԁ_in_ P _that_Ԁ_country_._Moreover_,_the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_had_Ԁ_failed_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_establish_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_she_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_at_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_concrete_Ԁ_and_ @ _personal_Ԁ_risk_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_being_Ԁ_tortured_Ԁ_if_Ԁ_extradited_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_Spain_._In_Ԁ_particular_,_the_Ԁ_case_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_Josu_Ԁ_Arkauz_Ԁ_Arana_, 0 _who_Ԁ_had_Ԁ_been_Ԁ_extradited_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_Spain_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_basis_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_purely_Ԁ_administrative_Ԁ_procedure_,_which_Ԁ_had_   _subsequently_Ԁ_been_Ԁ_found_Ԁ_illegal_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Administrative_Ԁ_Court_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_Pau_,_in_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_absence_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_any_ ! _intervention_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_judicial_Ԁ_authority_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_possibility_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_author_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_contact_Ԁ_his_Ԁ_family_Ԁ_or_ "  _lawyer_,_was_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_comparable_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant__s_Ԁ_situation_:_While_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_particular_Ԁ_circumstances_Ԁ_of_ #! _Josu_Ԁ_Arkauz_Ԁ_Arana__s_Ԁ_extradition_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_Spain_Ԁ_had_Ԁ_placed_Ԁ_him_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_situation_Ԁ_where_Ԁ_he_Ԁ_had_Ԁ_been_ $" _particularly_Ԁ_vulnerable_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_possible_Ԁ_abuse_,_the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_had_Ԁ_enjoyed_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_benefits_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_judicial_ % # _extradition_Ԁ_procedure_Ԁ_ensuring_Ԁ_respect_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_her_Ԁ_human_Ԁ_rights_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_fundamental_Ԁ_freedoms_._According_ p&!$ _to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_,_the_Ԁ_same_Ԁ_guarantees_Ԁ_applied_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_Spain_Ԁ_which_,_being_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_member_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Convention_ `'"% _Against_Ԁ_Torture_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_Other_Ԁ_Cruel_,_Inhuman_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_Degrading_Ԁ_Treatment_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_Punishment_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_well_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_ P(#& _Optional_Ԁ_Protocol_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_International_Ԁ_Covenant_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_Civil_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_Political_Ԁ_Rights_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_European_ @)$' _Convention_,_was_Ԁ_subject_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_scrutiny_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_supervising_Ԁ_bodies_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_these_Ԁ_instruments_,_which_ 0*%( _provided_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_with_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_preventive_Ԁ_guarantee_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_tortured_._Moreover_,_the_Ԁ_complainant_  +p&) _enjoyed_Ԁ_diplomatic_Ԁ_protection_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_Germany_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_could_Ԁ_avail_Ԁ_herself_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_services_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_lawyer_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_her_ ,`'* _choice_Ԁ_already_Ԁ_hired_Ԁ_from_Ԁ_Switzerland_._The_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_could_Ԁ_also_Ԁ_mandate_Ԁ_its_Ԁ_own_Ԁ_Embassy_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_Spain_ -P(+ _to_Ԁ_monitor_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant__s_Ԁ_conditions_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_detention_._The_Ԁ_international_Ԁ_attention_Ԁ_drawn_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_case_ -@), providedafurtherguaranteeagainstanyriskoftorture.  4.4Withrespecttothecomplaintsclaimunderarticle15oftheConvention,theStatepartysubmits  thatnothingestablishesthatFelipeSan_Epifanio_stestimonyhadbeenextractedbytorture.The  complainantherselfhadstatedthatthecriminalproceedingsinitiatedbyMr.San_Epifanio_Ԁhadbeen p closed.Again,itwasforthecriminalcourtsinSpainandnotfortheSwissextraditionauthorities `  topronouncethemselvesontheadmissibilityofevidence. P   ComplainantscommentsontheStatepartyssubmissions  0  5.1InhisresponsetotheStatepartyssubmission,counselmaintainsthatthecomplainantwould `  beatpersonalriskofbeingtorturedifextraditedtoSpain.Suchariskwasindicatedbyseveral P  precedents,inparticularthecasesofFelipeSan_Epifanio_Ԁand_Agurtzane_Ԁ_Ezkerra_Ԁ_Prez_Ԁde_Nanclares_, @  anotherconvictedmemberofthecommando Barcelonawhohadallegedlybeentorturedduring 0  incommunicadodetention.Counselsubmitsaletter,dated4May1994,addressedtothe_Juzgado_Ԁde   _Instrucci;n_ԀNo.4(Bilbao),inwhichFelipeSan_Epifanio_Ԁbroughtcriminalchargesagainstthepolice,  statingthatthepolicearrestedhimbyimmobilizinghimontheground,wherehereceivedblowsand  kicksonhisentirebody,includingblowstohisheadwithagun.Althoughthewoundshadbeen  stitchedathospital,nothoroughmedicalexaminationhadbeencarriedout.Instead,thepolice  allegedlyhadcontinuedtomaltreathimduringincommunicadodetention,beatinghimrepeatedly.  Thefollowingdays,Mr.San_Epifanio_ԀhadbeenquestionedonhislinkswithETAandindividual p membersofthatorganizationwithouttheassistanceofalawyer.Duringthefourdaysof ` incommunicadodetention,hehadallegedlybeendeniedsleepandhadnotreceivedanysolidfood P butonlylargeamountsofwater.Counselarguesthattheexaminingjudgesdecisiontoclose @ criminalproceedingsinitiatedbyMr.San_Epifanio_Ԁreflectstheextentofimpunityenjoyedbyalleged 0 torturersofETAsuspects.11/  p 5.2Counselreiteratesthatnumeroushumanrightsreportsprovideevidenceoftheexistenceofa P consistentpatternofgross,flagrantormassviolationsofhumanrightsinSpain.Inparticular,he @ citestheCommitteesmostrecentconcludingobservationsrelatingtoSpain12/inwhichit 0 expresseditsconcernaboutthedichotomybetweenSpanishofficialstatementsdenyingthe   occurrenceoftortureormaltreatmentexceptinisolatedcases,andtheinformationreceivedfrom ! non-governmentalsourcesindicatingthepersistenceofcasesoftortureandmaltreatmentbySpanish "  securityforces.Moreover,theCommitteenotedthatSpainmaintaineditslegislationprovidingfor #! incommunicadodetentionforuptoamaximumoffivedaysduringwhichthedetaineeneitherhad $" accesstoalawyeroramedicaldoctorofhischoice,nortohisfamily.Counselsubmitsthat % # diplomaticprotectionisinaccessibleduringthatperiod. p&!$ 5.3WithrespecttotheadmissibilityofMr.San_Epifanio_stestimony,counselsubmitsthatthe P(#& prohibitioninarticle15oftheConventionappliesnotonlytocriminalproceedingsinSpainbutalso @)$' tothecomplainantsextraditionproceedingsinSwitzerland.Thisfollowsfromthewordingofarticle 0*%( 15whichobligestheStatepartyto ensurethatanystatementwhichisestablishedtohavebeen  +p&) madeasaresultoftortureshallnotbeinvokedasevidenceinanyproceedings.Counselchallenges ,`'* theStatepartysargumentthatithadnotbeenestablishedthatMr.San_Epifanio_stestimonyhad -P(+ beenextractedbytorture,arguingthattherequirementsastotheevidenceforthistortureclaim -@), _should_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_overly_Ԁ_strict_.13/   _Issues_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_proceedings_Ԁ_before_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Committee_   6.1_Before_Ԁ_considering_Ԁ_any_Ԁ_claim_Ԁ_contained_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_communication_,_the_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_against_Ԁ_Torture_ p _must_Ԁ_decide_Ԁ_whether_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_it_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_admissible_Ԁ_under_Ԁ_article_Ԁ22_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Convention_._The_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_has_ `  _ascertained_,_as_Ԁ_it_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_required_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_do_Ԁ_under_Ԁ_article_Ԁ22,_paragraph_Ԁ5(_a_),_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Convention_,_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_same_ P  _matter_Ԁ_has_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_been_,_and_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_being_,_examined_Ԁ_under_Ԁ_another_Ԁ_procedure_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_international_ @  _investigation_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_settlement_._In_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_present_Ԁ_case_,_the_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_also_Ԁ_notes_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_all_Ԁ_domestic_Ԁ_remedies_ 0  _have_Ԁ_been_Ԁ_exhausted_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_has_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_objected_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_admissibility_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_  p  _communication_._It_Ԁ_therefore_Ԁ_considers_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_communication_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_admissible_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_proceeds_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_ `  _examination_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_merits_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_case_. P  6.2_With_Ԁ_regard_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant__s_Ԁ_claim_Ԁ_under_Ԁ_article_Ԁ3,_paragraph_Ԁ1,_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Convention_,_the_ 0  _Committee_Ԁ_must_Ԁ_determine_Ԁ_whether_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_author_'_s_Ԁ_deportation_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_Spain_Ԁ_violated_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party__s_   _obligation_,_under_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_article_,_not_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_expel_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_return_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_person_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_another_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_where_Ԁ_there_Ԁ_are_  _substantial_Ԁ_grounds_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_believing_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_he_Ԁ_would_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_danger_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_being_Ԁ_subjected_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_torture_._In_Ԁ_doing_  _so_,_the_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_must_Ԁ_take_Ԁ_into_Ԁ_account_Ԁ_all_Ԁ_relevant_Ԁ_considerations_Ԁ_with_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_view_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_determining_  _whether_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_person_Ԁ_concerned_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_personal_Ԁ_danger_,_including_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_existence_,_in_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_concerned_,  _of_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_consistent_Ԁ_pattern_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_gross_,_flagrant_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_mass_Ԁ_violations_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_human_Ԁ_rights_.  6.3_The_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_recalls_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_during_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_consideration_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_fourth_Ԁ_periodic_Ԁ_report_Ԁ_submitted_Ԁ_by_ ` _Spain_Ԁ_under_Ԁ_article_Ԁ19_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Convention_,_it_Ԁ_noted_Ԁ_with_Ԁ_concern_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_dichotomy_Ԁ_between_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_assertion_ P _of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_Government_Ԁ_that_,_isolated_Ԁ_cases_Ԁ_apart_,_torture_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_ill_-_treatment_Ԁ_do_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_occur_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_Spain_ @ _and_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_information_Ԁ_received_Ԁ_from_Ԁ_non_-_governmental_Ԁ_sources_Ԁ_which_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_said_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_reveal_Ԁ_instances_Ԁ_of_ 0 _torture_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_ill_-_treatment_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_security_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_police_Ԁ_forces_.14/_It_Ԁ_also_Ԁ_expressed_Ԁ_concern_Ԁ_about_  p _the_Ԁ_fact_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_incommunicado_Ԁ_detention_Ԁ_up_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_maximum_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_five_Ԁ_days_Ԁ_has_Ԁ_been_Ԁ_maintained_Ԁ_for_ ` _specific_Ԁ_categories_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_particularly_Ԁ_serious_Ԁ_offences_,_given_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_during_Ԁ_this_Ԁ_period_,_the_Ԁ_detainee_Ԁ_has_Ԁ_no_ P _access_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_lawyer_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_doctor_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_his_Ԁ_choice_,_nor_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_he_Ԁ_able_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_contact_Ԁ_his_Ԁ_family_.15/_The_ @ _Committee_Ԁ_considered_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_incommunicado_Ԁ_regime_Ԁ_facilitates_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_commission_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_acts_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_torture_ 0 _and_Ԁ_ill_-_treatment_.16/   6.4_Notwithstanding_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_above_,_the_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_reiterates_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_its_Ԁ_primary_Ԁ_task_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_determine_ "  _whether_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_individual_Ԁ_concerned_Ԁ_would_Ԁ_personally_Ԁ_risk_Ԁ_torture_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_country_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_which_Ԁ_he_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_she_ #! _would_Ԁ_return_._It_Ԁ_follows_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_existence_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_consistent_Ԁ_pattern_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_gross_,_flagrant_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_mass_Ԁ_violations_ $" _of_Ԁ_human_Ԁ_rights_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_country_Ԁ_does_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_such_Ԁ_constitute_Ԁ_sufficient_Ԁ_grounds_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_determining_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_ % # _particular_Ԁ_person_Ԁ_would_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_danger_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_being_Ԁ_subjected_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_torture_Ԁ_upon_Ԁ_his_Ԁ_return_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_country_; p&!$ _additional_Ԁ_grounds_Ԁ_must_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_adduced_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_show_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_individual_Ԁ_concerned_Ԁ_would_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_personally_Ԁ_at_ `'"% _risk_._Conversely_,_the_Ԁ_absence_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_consistent_Ԁ_pattern_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_gross_Ԁ_violations_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_human_Ԁ_rights_Ԁ_does_Ԁ_not_ P(#& _mean_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_person_Ԁ_cannot_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_considered_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_danger_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_being_Ԁ_subjected_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_torture_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_his_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_her_ @)$' _specific_Ԁ_circumstances_. 0*%( 6.5_As_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant__s_Ԁ_personal_Ԁ_risk_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_being_Ԁ_subjected_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_torture_Ԁ_following_Ԁ_extradition_Ԁ_to_ ,`'* _Spain_,_the_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_has_Ԁ_noted_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant__s_Ԁ_arguments_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_extradition_Ԁ_request_ -P(+ _was_Ԁ_based_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_false_Ԁ_accusations_,_that_,_as_Ԁ_an_Ԁ_ETA_Ԁ_suspect_,_she_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_at_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_personal_Ԁ_risk_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_being_Ԁ_tortured_ -@), duringincommunicadodetention,intheabsenceofaccesstoalawyerofherchoiceduringthattime,  thatotherpersonshadbeensubjectedtotortureincircumstancesthatsheconsiderstobesimilarto  hercase,andthatdiplomaticprotectionbyGermanyaswellasthepriordesignationofalawyer  constitutedprotectionsagainstpossibleabuseduringincommunicadodetentionintheoryonly.Ithas  equallynotedtheStatepartyssubmissionthat,inadditiontotheabove-mentionedprotections,the p internationalattentiondrawntothecomplainantscase,aswellasthepossibilityforhertochallenge `  tortureorill-treatmentbytheSpanishauthoritiesbeforetheCommitteeandotherinternational P  instances,constitutefurtherguaranteespreventingSpanishpolicefromsubjectinghertosuch @  treatment. 0  6.6HavingregardtothecomplainantsreferencetotheCommitteesviewsinthecaseof_Josu_ `  _Arkauz_Ԁ_Arana_,theCommitteeobservesthatthespecificcircumstancesofthatcase,whichledtothe P  findingofaviolationofarticle3oftheConvention,differmarkedlyfromthecircumstancesinthe @  presentcase.Thedeportationof_Josu_Ԁ_Arkauz_Ԁ_Arana_ waseffectedunderanadministrative 0  procedure,whichtheAdministrativeCourtofPauhadlaterfoundtobeillegal,entailingadirect   handoverfrompolicetopolice,withouttheinterventionofajudicialauthorityandwithoutany  possibilityfortheauthortocontacthisfamilyorhislawyer.17/Bycontrast,thecomplainants  extraditiontoSpainwasprecededbyajudicialreview,bytheSwissFederalTribunal,ofthe  decisionoftheFederalOfficeofJusticetogranttheSpanishextraditionrequest.TheCommittee  notesthatthejudgmentoftheFederalCourt,aswellasthedecisionoftheFederalOffice,both  containanassessmentoftheriskoftorturethatthecomplainantwouldbeexposedtofollowingan p extraditiontoSpain.TheCommittee,therefore,considersthat,unlikeinthecaseof_Josu_Ԁ_Arkauz_ ` _Arana_,thelegalguaranteesweresufficient,inthecomplainantscase,toavoidplacingherina P situationwhereshewasparticularlyvulnerabletopossibleabusebytheSpanishauthorities. @ 6.7TheCommitteeobservesthatpossibleinconsistenciesinthefactsonwhichtheSpanish  p extraditionrequestwasbased,cannotassuchbeconstruedasindicatinganyhypotheticalintention ` oftheSpanishauthoritiestoinflicttortureorill-treatmentonthecomplainant,oncetheextradition P requestwasgrantedandexecuted.InsofarasthecomplainantclaimsthattheStatepartysdecision @ toextraditeherviolatedarticles3and9oftheEuropeanConventiononExtraditionof1957,the 0 Committeeobservesthatitisnotcompetent_ratione_Ԁ_materiae_topronounceitselfonthe   interpretationorapplicationofthatConvention. ! 6.8Lastly,theCommitteenotesthat,subsequenttothecomplainantsextraditiontoSpain,ithas #! receivednoinformationontortureorill-treatmentsufferedbythecomplainantduring $" incommunicadodetention.Inthelightoftheforegoing,theCommitteefindsthatthecomplainants % # extraditiontoSpaindidnotconstituteaviolationbytheStatepartyofarticle3oftheConvention. p&!$ 6.9Withregardtotheallegedviolationofarticle15oftheConvention,theCommitteehasnoted P(#& thecomplainantsargumentsthat,ingrantingtheSpanishextraditionrequest,whichwas,atleast @)$' indirectly,basedontestimonyextractedbytorturefromFelipeSan_Epifanio_,theStatepartyitself 0*%( hadreliedonthisevidence,andthatarticle15oftheConventionappliednotonlytocriminal  +p&) proceedingsagainstherinSpain,butalsototheextraditionproceedingsbeforetheSwissFederal ,`'* OfficeofJusticeaswellastheFederalCourt.Similarly,theCommitteehasnotedtheStatepartys -P(+ submissionthattheadmissibilityoftherelevantevidencewasamattertobedecidedbytheSpanish -@), courts.  6.10_The_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_observes_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_broad_Ԁ_scope_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_prohibition_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_article_Ԁ15,_proscribing_Ԁ_the_  _invocation_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_any_Ԁ_statement_Ԁ_which_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_established_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_have_Ԁ_been_Ԁ_made_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_result_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_torture_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_evidence_   _in_Ԁ_any_Ԁ_proceedings_,_is_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_function_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_absolute_Ԁ_nature_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_prohibition_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_torture_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_implies_, p _consequently_,_an_Ԁ_obligation_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_each_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_ascertain_Ԁ_whether_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_statements_Ԁ_admitted_Ԁ_as_ `  _evidence_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_any_Ԁ_proceedings_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_which_Ԁ_it_Ԁ_has_Ԁ_jurisdiction_,_including_Ԁ_extradition_Ԁ_proceedings_,_have_ P  _been_Ԁ_made_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_result_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_torture_.18/ @  6.11_At_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_same_Ԁ_time_,_the_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_notes_Ԁ_that_,_for_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_prohibition_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_article_Ԁ15_to_Ԁ_apply_,_it_Ԁ_is_  p  _required_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_statement_Ԁ_invoked_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_evidence_Ԁ _is_Ԁ_established_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_have_Ԁ_been_Ԁ_made_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_result_Ԁ_of_ `  _torture_._As_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_herself_Ԁ_stated_,_criminal_Ԁ_proceedings_Ԁ_initiated_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_Felipe_Ԁ_San_Ԁ_Epifanio_ P  _against_Ԁ_his_Ԁ_alleged_Ԁ_torturers_Ԁ_were_Ԁ_discontinued_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_authorities_._Considering_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_it_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_for_ @  _the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_demonstrate_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_her_Ԁ_allegations_Ԁ_are_Ԁ_well_-_founded_,_the_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_concludes_Ԁ_that_, 0  _on_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_basis_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_facts_Ԁ_before_Ԁ_it_,_it_Ԁ_has_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_been_Ԁ_established_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_statement_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_Mr_._San_Ԁ_Epifanio_,   _made_Ԁ_before_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_police_Ԁ_on_Ԁ28April1994,_was_Ԁ_obtained_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_torture_Ԁ.  6.12_The_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_reiterates_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_it_Ԁ_is_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_courts_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_States_Ԁ_parties_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Convention_,_and_  _not_Ԁ_for_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Committee_,_to_Ԁ_evaluate_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_facts_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_evidence_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_particular_Ԁ_case_,_unless_Ԁ_it_Ԁ_can_Ԁ_be_  _ascertained_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_manner_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_which_Ԁ_such_Ԁ_facts_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_evidence_Ԁ_were_Ԁ_evaluated_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_clearly_Ԁ_arbitrary_  _or_Ԁ_amounted_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_denial_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_justice_._The_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_considers_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party__s_Ԁ_decision_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_grant_ p _the_Ԁ_Spanish_Ԁ_extradition_Ԁ_request_Ԁ_does_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_disclose_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_violation_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_State_Ԁ_party_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_article_Ԁ15_of_Ԁ_the_ ` _Convention_. P 7._Consequently_,_the_Ԁ_Committee_Ԁ_against_Ԁ_Torture_,_acting_Ԁ_under_Ԁ_article_Ԁ22,_paragraph_Ԁ7,_of_Ԁ_the_ 0 _Convention_Ԁ_against_Ԁ_Torture_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_Other_Ԁ_Cruel_,_Inhuman_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_Degrading_Ԁ_Treatment_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_Punishment_,  p _concludes_Ԁ_that_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_extradition_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_complainant_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_Spain_Ԁ_did_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_constitute_Ԁ_a_Ԁ_breach_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_either_Ԁ_article_ ` 3_or_Ԁ15_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Convention_. P [_Adopted_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_English_,_French_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_Spanish_,_the_Ԁ_English_Ԁ_text_Ԁ_being_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_original_Ԁ_version_._Subsequently_   _to_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_issued_Ԁ_also_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_Arabic_,_Chinese_Ԁ_and_Ԁ_Russian_Ԁ_as_Ԁ_part_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Committee_'_s_Ԁ_annual_Ԁ_report_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_the_ ! _General_Ԁ_Assembly_.] "   _Notes_  % # 1/_Apparently_,_the_Ԁ_apartment_Ԁ_was_Ԁ_rented_Ԁ_but_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_inhabited_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_Mr_._Ramos_Ԁ_Vega_. `'"% 2/_Translation_Ԁ_by_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_Secretariat_. @)$' 3/_Pursuant_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_article_Ԁ9_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_European_Ԁ_Convention_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_Extradition_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_which_Ԁ_Germany_,_Switzerland_  +p&) _and_Ԁ_Spain_Ԁ_are_Ԁ_parties_, [_e]xtradition_Ԁ_my_Ԁ_be_Ԁ_refused_Ԁ_if_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_competent_Ԁ_authorities_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_requested_Ԁ_party_ ,`'* _have_Ԁ_decided_Ԁ_either_Ԁ_not_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_institute_Ԁ_or_Ԁ_to_Ԁ_terminate_Ԁ_proceedings_Ԁ_in_Ԁ_respect_Ԁ_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_same_Ԁ_offence_Ԁ_or_ -P(+ _offences_. -@), Ї4/_See_Ԁ_article_Ԁ3(1)_of_Ԁ_the_Ԁ_European_Ԁ_Convention_Ԁ_on_Ԁ_Extradition_.  5/Seealsoibid.,article12(2)(b).  6/Cf.article9oftheEuropeanConventiononExtradition. p 7/Inthatregard,theFederalTribunalarguesthat,accordingtothecomplainantherself,thecriminal P  proceedingsinitiatedbyMr.San_Epifanio_ԀagainstthepolicehadbeenclosedbytheSpanish @  authorities. 0  8/HumanRightsCommittee,ConcludingobservationsonthesecondperiodicreportofSpain; `  EuropeanCommitteeforthePreventionofTortureandInhumanorDegradingTreatmentor P  Punishment,ReportsonvisitstoSpainin1997,1998and2000;AmnestyInternational,Annual @  Report2001. 0  9/Viewsadoptedon9November1999,UNDoc.CAT/C/23/C/63/1997,5June2000.  10/Ibid.,para.11.4.  11/Inthecomplaint,dated18October2002,counselstatedthattheexaminingjudgehadconsidered  thatthefactssubmittedbyMr.San_Epifanio_Ԁfellshortofconstitutingacriminaloffense,despitethe p factthatamedicalexaminerhadfoundseveralhaematomaandopenwoundsonhisbodyafterhis ` detentionincommunicadohadended. P 12/SeeCommitteeagainstTorture,29thsession(11-22November2002),Conclusionsand 0 recommendationsoftheCommitteeagainstTorture:Spain,UNDoc.CAT/C/CR/29/3,23December  p 2002. ` 13/Thisargumentiscontainedinthecomplaint,dated18October2002. @ 14/CAT,28thsession(11-22November2002),Conclusionsandrecommendationsofthe   CommitteeagainstTorture:Spain,UNDoc.CAT/C/CR/29/3,23December2002,atpara.8. ! 15/Id.,atpara.10. #! 16/Id. % # 17/CommunicationNo.63/1997,_Josu_Ԁ_Arkauz_Ԁ_Arana_Ԁv.France,Viewsadoptedon9November `'"% 1999,UNDoc.CAT/C/23/D/63/1997,5June2000,atpara.11.5. P(#& 18/SeeCommunicationNo.193/2001,_P.E._Ԁv.France,Viewsadoptedon21November2002,UN 0*%( Doc.CAT/C/29/D/193/2001,19December2002,atpara.6.3.  +p&)