WORLD BRIEFING / SPAIN

Spain’s attorney general has rejected opening an investigation into whether six Bush administration officials sanctioned torture against terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay, saying a U.S. courtroom would be the proper forum.

Candido Conde-Pumpido’s remarks reduce the chances of a case moving forward against the Americans, who include former U.S. Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales. Conde-Pumpido said such a trial would turn Spain’s National Court “into a plaything” for politics.

Spanish law gives its courts jurisdiction beyond national borders in cases of torture, war crimes and other heinous offenses, based on a doctrine known as universal justice. However, the government has made it clear it wants to rein in the process.

Last month, a group of human rights lawyers asked Judge Baltasar Garzon, famous for indicting ex-Chilean ruler Augusto Pinochet, to consider filing charges against the six Americans. Under Spanish law, the judge then asked prosecutors for a recommendation on whether to open an investigation.

Garzon is not bound by the prosecutors’ recommendation, but it would be highly unusual for a case to proceed without their support.