Francoist

They say a decision by the supreme court to try Garzón for allegedly distorting Spanish law as he tried to open an investigation in 2008 into Francoist crimes, proves that Spain is unable to try these crimes itself.

Argentinian judge petitions Spain to try civil war crimes of Franco Giles Tremlett in Madrid 2010

It also includes the case of Silvia Carretero, arrested and allegedly tortured in 1975, and her husband José Luis Sánchez Bravo, who was shot by a Francoist firing squad that year after being found guilty of killing a police officer.

Argentinian judge petitions Spain to try civil war crimes of Franco Giles Tremlett in Madrid 2010

However, many parents imprisoned under the Francoist regime have died without knowing what happened to their children, and these children have never been able to trace their biological parents.

Letters: Long shadows cast by Spain's past – and its present austerity 2011

The petition from Servini lists the cases of several people killed or "disappeared" by pro-Francoist death squads in the early days of the Spanish civil war in 1936 when General Franco helped lead a right-wing uprising against the government.

Argentinian judge petitions Spain to try civil war crimes of Franco Giles Tremlett in Madrid 2010

Antonia Oliver, whose grandfather was one of tens of thousands killed and secretly buried by Francoist death squads, best expressed the wishes of those still seeking the graves of lost relatives.

Trial of judge Baltasar Garzón splits a Spain still suffering civil war wounds 2012

Mothers on the losing republican side were not deemed "acceptable" as they would raise children in a manner which deviated from the Francoist maternal ideal.

Letters: Long shadows cast by Spain's past – and its present austerity 2011

Historian Ricard Vinyes has shown that the Francoist state interfered in the family lives of the war's losers in a number of ways.

Letters: Long shadows cast by Spain's past – and its present austerity 2011

This would be the first trial in Spain — where a number of prominent Nazis lived during the Francoist era — of a former figure of the Nazi regime.

Spain Seeks to Try Demjanjuk David Roman 2011

The Franco regime ensured women's only role was motherhood, enforcing this through educational and legislative measures; all mothers were expected to raise the next generation of loyal Francoist citizens.

Letters: Long shadows cast by Spain's past – and its present austerity 2011

They include the Francoist slogan "Arriba España" and the yoke-and-arrows symbol of the far right Falange, whose members killed the women.

Trial of judge Baltasar Garzón splits a Spain still suffering civil war wounds 2012