Spanish politicians demand Spain doesn’t extradite Fergie Chambers to US

Multiple Spanish political parties are calling on the Spanish government not to execute Fergie Chambers’ extradition to the US.

Representatives of several political forces have submitted a letter to interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Félix Bolaños García, minister for the presidency, justice and parliamentary relations, as well as to several government delegations.

The letter calls on the Spanish executive not to execute the extradition of James Cox “Fergie” Chambers Jr. to the US. And it warns that solidarity with Palestine, in a context of genocide, occupation and apartheid, cannot be criminalised or presented as terrorism.

The MPs come from the CUP, ERC, Comuns, Més per Mallorca, Compromís, EH Bildu, BNG, Somos Asturies, Convocatoria por Asturias, Adelante Andalucía, Izquierda Unida, Podemos and Sumar.

Fergie Chambers

According to published reports, Chambers was arrested in Eivissa [Ibiza] following a possible extradition request made by the US. It concerned allegations of money laundering and the alleged intention to provide material support to organisations designated as terrorist.

The signatories note that Chambers is known publicly as a donor and activist committed to the Palestinian cause and to humanitarian and social projects supporting the population of Gaza.

In the letter, the signatory forces, represented in various parliaments and in Congress, stress that passive extradition proceedings in the Spanish State are not automatic.

They recall that the law allows the government to refuse surrender even where a court has declared it admissible. This is especially so where there are substantial grounds for believing that the request is intended to prosecute or punish a person for their political opinions.

The text also recalls that the constitution excludes political offences from extradition. And it notes that the Extradition Treaty between Spain and the US provides for the possibility of refusing surrender where there are indications of political persecution.

In this regard, the signatories warn that the label of “terrorism” cannot be used expansively to criminalise the denunciation of genocide, humanitarian support, internationalist activism, contributions to media outlets or the defence of political campaigns against occupation and apartheid.

The letter states:

Solidarity with Palestine does not constitute any offence. Nor can it be equated, without concrete and individualised evidence of the financing of violent acts, with the financing of terrorism.

Political context

The document places the case in a broader institutional context. It recalls that the Spanish government officially recognised the State of Palestine on 28 May 2024 and that Royal Decree-Law 10/2025 adopted urgent measures against the genocide in Gaza and in support of the Palestinian population.

It also refers to positions adopted by multiple legislatures in defence of the rights of the Palestinian people, against genocide, against occupation and against the criminalisation of Palestinian civil society. These include:

• The Parliament of Catalonia.
• The Parliament of Navarre.
• The Basque Parliament.
• The Parliament of Galicia.
• The General Junta of the Principality of Asturias.
• The Parliament of the Balearic Islands.
• Les Corts Valencianes.

The signatories argue that these institutional positions show a clear line. Defending Palestine, cooperating with its civil society, denouncing the occupation and demanding respect for international law are part of the legitimate exercise of fundamental rights and cannot be treated as criminal activities.

The letter also invokes the international framework. It recalls, among other elements, South Africa’s case against Israel before the International Court of Justice for possible violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, as well as the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

For all these reasons, the signatories call on the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior to ensure that no administrative, police or governmental action contributes to an extradition based on the criminalisation of solidarity with Palestine. Therefore, they’re asking the Spanish government to refuse Chambers’ surrender to the US.

The text concludes:

The fight against terrorism cannot be used as an instrument to persecute the denunciation of genocide, solidarity with an occupied people or support for humanitarian and social initiatives.

Supporting the Palestinian people is not a crime; it is a legitimate expression of solidarity, the defence of human rights and commitment to international law.

Signatories:

• Laure Vega, CUP.
• Gabriel Rufián, ERC.
• Ana Balsera, ERC.
• Gerardo Pisarello, Comuns.
• Andrés García Berrio, Comuns.
• Diana Urrea Herrera, EH Bildu.
• Irati Jiménez Aragón, EH Bildu.
• Oskar Matute, EH Bildu.
• Montserrat Prado Cores, BNG.
• Néstor Rego, BNG.
• Covadonga Tomé, Somos Asturies.
• Delia Campomanes, IU / Convocatoria por Asturias.
• Lluís Apesteguia, Més per Mallorca.
• Vicenç Vidal, Més per Mallorca.
• Isaura Navarro Casillas, Compromís.
• Agueda Micó, Compromís.
• Jose Ignacio García, Adelante Andalucía.
• Enrique Santiago Romero, IU.
• Agustín Santos Maraver, Sumar.
• Tesh Sidi, Más Madrid.
• Ione Belarra, Podemos.
• Javier Sánchez Serna, Podemos.
• Martina Velarde, Podemos.
• Noemí Santana, Podemos

Featured image via the Canary

By The Canary

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