Spain: Gunman Euthanized Before Trial
Marin Eugen Sabau — who shot and injured three work colleagues and a police officer in Spain last year — was euthanized on Tuesday before he could face trial.
Facts
- Marin Eugen Sabau — who shot and injured three work colleagues and a police officer in Spain last year — was euthanized on Tuesday before he could face trial.
- Sabau, 46, was left paralyzed after a shootout with police in the northeastern city of Tarragona. Citing unbearable pain from the injury, he requested assisted suicide, which Spain legalized in March of last year.
- Though Sabau’s victims opposed the request, a Tarragona court ruled it was his fundamental right and in line with the law, and therefore the judicial system had no right to interfere.
- A lawyer for the injured police officer also took the case to the European Human Rights Court but was unsuccessful. He said the court should study the case and that he hopes Spain will make changes to the law.
- Before Spain legalized euthanasia last year, helping someone to end their life was met with a 10-year prison sentence.
- In the first year since the law allowing assisted suicide went into effect, 172 people have died from the procedure in Spain.
Sources: Independent, CBS, BBC News, and CNN.
Narratives
- Narrative A, as provided by Spain English. Thanks to the court’s decision, Sabau, who injured four innocent people, has been allowed to escape justice. It now remains unclear how the victims will receive the compensation they’re entitled to.
- Narrative B, as provided by NASDAQ. Sabau’s right to request assisted suicide was clearly written in the law, as there are currently no exceptions for those facing trial. The court was justified in its decision — as confirmed by the European Human Rights Court.
