1. Early life and career
Melitón Manzanas' early life and career established his role within the Francoist police apparatus, particularly his involvement in suppressing political opposition and his controversial collaboration with foreign powers.
1.1. Background and police entry
Born on 9 June 1909, Melitón Manzanas González was originally from San Sebastián, Spain. He began his career in the police force in 1938 in Irun, a city where he later established one of his infamous interrogation centers.
1.2. Role under Francoist Spain
After entering the police force, Manzanas was assigned to Donostia-San Sebastián in 1941. He eventually rose to command the Brigada Político-Social (BPS), the political police division of the Francoist regime, in San Sebastián. Under the Franco regime, he focused his efforts primarily on the suppression of Basque nationalist forces.
1.2.1. Collaboration with Nazi Germany
During World War II, particularly while Germany occupied France, Melitón Manzanas actively collaborated with the Gestapo. He played a role in assisting their operations to arrest Jewish individuals who were attempting to escape from occupied France.
1.2.2. Suppression of Basque nationalism
Despite being Basque himself, Manzanas was a vehement opponent of Basque nationalism, which saw a resurgence in the 1960s. He dedicated himself to suppressing this movement, fiercely opposing the nascent organization ETA.
2. Assassination
Melitón Manzanas' assassination by ETA marked a significant turning point in the organization's history, becoming their first planned killing.
2.1. Details of the attack
On 2 August 1968, Melitón Manzanas was ambushed and murdered by ETA operatives. His killers waited for him at his residence, where they shot him seven times, leading to his death.
2.2. Context and significance
Manzanas' assassination was the first planned killing committed by ETA. It was carried out in direct response to the killing of Txabi Etxebarrieta, an ETA militant. This act held significant historical importance as it signaled a new, more aggressive phase in ETA's actions against the Francoist state.
3. Legacy and controversies
The historical assessment of Melitón Manzanas remains highly controversial, particularly due to his known use of torture and the subsequent posthumous recognition he received, which ignited a national debate concerning human rights and justice.
3.1. Posthumous decoration and reactions
Thirty years after his death, Melitón Manzanas was posthumously awarded the Medal of Civil Merit by then-Prime Minister José María Aznar. This decoration was intended for victims of terrorism. However, the award generated widespread controversy due to Manzanas' documented service under the Franco regime and his known history of employing police torture.
3.2. Criticism and historical evaluation
The posthumous award to Manzanas sparked extensive criticism and an intense ethical debate regarding his recognition. Critics highlighted his notorious use of torture and the significant human rights violations he committed during his career. The fact that he was not the first torturer to be rewarded by the Spanish Government further intensified the controversy, raising questions about historical justice and accountability for actions committed during the Francoist dictatorship.