Spain declassifies files on 1981 attempted coup
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Spain's government has declassified 153 documents related to the attempted coup on 23 February 1981, a pivotal event in the country's transition to democracy.
- The coup, led by Antonio Tejero Molina, involved armed officers storming parliament to overthrow the fledgling democracy and reinstate dictatorship, but failed after King Juan Carlos publicly opposed the rebels.
- The release coincided with the death of Tejero at age 93, prompting reflections on the event and its legacy.
- The newly released files include police and judicial reports, official conversations, and foreign governments' reactions, aiming to dispel conspiracy theories about the king's involvement or prior knowledge.
- The current Spanish government views the declassification as correcting a "histor
