Judge facing trial in Franco-era probe

MADRID, April 7 (UPI) -- A judge in Spain is facing trial himself for allegedly abusing his powers by probing Franco-era slayings and abductions, officials say.

Baltasar Garzon is accused by a far-right lobbying group and the Falange Espanola political party of going beyond his authority with his review of the disappearance and killings of 113,000 people during Gen. Francisco Franco's rule of Spain from 1939 to 1975, The Guardian reported Wednesday.

Garzon, 54, who is both a very popular and controversial jurist in his country, is expected to soon be suspended from his duties until his trial is completed, the British newspaper said.

Supreme Court Magistrate Luciano Varela, who ordered the trial for Garzon, said in a 14-page ruling Garzon set forth on his inquiry even though he knew he lacked jurisdiction under a 1977 amnesty for Francoist crimes.

Garzon has maintained the amnesty does not apply there are open cases of kidnapping with no bodies being found.

He has accused the Falange, which backed Franco, of being responsible for many of the disappearances.