We tracked them to the beach, See Page 8
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Vol. 4 Issue 83 www.theolivepress.es June 26th - July 9th 2020
MADDIE SUSPECT’S SPANISH LAIR
Christian Brueckner’s Spanish hideaway
FAMILIAR SIGHT: Brueckner’s ‘Winnebago’ was parked up in the village of Los Tablones in the Orgiva Valley just two weeks after Maddie vanished
Tel: 952 147 834 See page 16 TM
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OLIVE PRESS WORLD EXCLUSIVE A DANGEROUS paedophile believed to have snatched English tot Maddie McCann visited southern Spain on many occasions. German pervert Christian
By Jon Clarke
Brueckner hid out in the Alpujarras region of Granada often dealing drugs,
the Olive Press can sensationally reveal. According to his best friend, an Austrian who lived in the area for many years, he even visited just two or three
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weeks after Maddie went missing. Michael Tatschl, who spent eight months in prison with Brueckner, now believes he is guilty of the murder of Madeleine. Having spent 14 hours being grilled by police over the crime, he spoke to the Olive Press for the first time to explain why. “He was a real pervert and talked about selling children to Morocco, I am pretty sure he did it,” he said this week. Micha, 46, who lived in Orgiva for over a decade, revealed that Brueckner had visited the town on many occasions in his jaguar and various vans. See full story on page 6
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CRIME
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NEWS NEWS IN IN BRIEF BRIEF Corona violence SOME 8,790 people in Spain have been arrested for gender violence crimes during the state of alarm from March 16 until June 21.
Pot shots row A FORMER soldier, working as a taxi driver in Malaga, has been arrested for shooting at pictures of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias.
Drug bust A CORDOBA and Sevilla-based gang, which smuggled some 6,000 kilos of illegal tobacco has been busted, with seven arrests made.
Brit help A SPANISH judge has turned to the UK authorities for help in the investigation of the destruction of a card stolen from Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias’ former adviser.
A Scotch job TWO bootleggers have been arrested after making €28,000 on stolen bottles of Johnnie Walker Scotch whiskey. The suspects, aged 38 and 43, who were arrested in Alicante, ordered 2,738 bottles from a company in Andalucia and attempted to resell the alcohol without paying for the order. The distributing company’s driver had his suspicions raised at the drop-off in Callosa de Segura when the booze was loaded straight into
a hire van – and not a legitimate warehouse. Following a call to Guardia Civil, agents simply waited at the van hire company in Almoradi before arresting the bootleggers as they returned the vehicle. Tracking software traced the van’s journey to a warehouse in Murcia, where the stolen bottles were found. The new owners of the stolen liquor knew nothing of the middlemen’s scam, and nearly the entire stock was recovered
June 26th - July 9th 2020
Watery end
A NIGHT out for a drunken motorist ended up being a costly affair as his car ended up in the Mar Menor. The boozy driver lost control of his vehicle and spun off the San Pedro del Pinatar portside road into the water. The good news was that the man was uninjured, but things got worse as he failed a breath test ordered by the Policia Local. He also racked up a bill for his car being hoisted out of the sea.
Booze shame Drink-fuelled brawls erupt on Mallorca streets as island enters ‘new normal’
A PAIR of rail workers have been struck off for throwing a commuter down some stairs after he wouldn’t put a mask on. The unidentified rail passenger was filmed being hurled down the set of steps at a Barcelona Metro stop and landed on his back. Shocking footage captured the moment the man was violently dealt with by staff at the La Segrera station. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), the city’s primary public transport operator has said the men have been ‘removed’ from their roles. In the footage of the violent incident one of the workers can be heard saying: “I am fed up with you. And now you can call the police.”
Nine day ordeal
By Isha Sesay
SEVERAL alcohol-fuelled brawls have erupted across Mallorca on the eve of the socalled ‘new normal’. The first took place on the Can Valero industrial estate in Palma where more than 200 peo-
Rail rage
FRACAS: Freedom too much for some as drunken fight breaks out on terrace ple had gathered for a street party. An off-duty policeman, who was walking in the area at the
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time, witnessed a fight break out in which a young girl was violently pushed to the floor by a man. He radioed police headquarters for back-up, and then identified himself to the group, running over to the girl in a bid to protect her from further assault. According to investigators he was then set upon by several
Baby coke shock A FIVE-month-old baby has been taken into care in Murcia after it was found to have a high level of cocaine in a urine sample. Her parents both tested positive for the drug after their car was involved in an accident on the A-7 in the Sangonera de Seca area. The mother’s breast milk has been ruled out as a source of the cocaine. Authorities are have said the baby might have inhaled the drug.
partygoers before being repeatedly punched in the face. The situation escalated when several police patrols arrived at the scene and found themselves in a stand-off with the group. Several officers were assaulted before a group of aggressors were cuffed. Meanwhile, 10 men between the ages of 20 and 30 were arrested after a huge brawl erupted in Porta des Camp in Palma. Once at the scene, Policia Nacional officers found four wounded men lying on the floor. One of the injured individuals had suffered a huge gash to his head. A probe into the incident has now been launched but investigators believe the fight was sparked by accusations that one of the men had sexually assaulted a young girl. A violent altercation also took place outside the popular Can Costitx Bar in Muro. Footage of the incident shows two men throwing punches and chairs at one another while locals try to separate them.
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SOME 100,000 ecstasy pills have been seized following dramatic raids by the Guardia Civil and Policia Nacional. Meanwhile, 160 kilos of marijuana, 71 kilos of hashish, one kilo of ketamine and six kilos of methamphetamine were also recovered. Police believe that the enormous haul of illegal substances in Barcelona was intended for Ibiza. Officers also seized four luxury cars, €150,000 in cash and a firearm with a defective serial number. Five alleged members of a criminal gang were arrested for drug trafficking offences, and are suspected to have been preparing to flood the Balearics with drugs. An investigation to bring down the smugglers began in March after police received a tip-off that criminal activity was taking place in an industrial warehouse in Sabadell. Covert surveillance revealed that a ‘sophisticated’ criminal organisation was operating in the premises including an individual suspected of concealing narcotics in vehicles.
A MAN who spent a year looking for his ex-partner, only to slash her face with a knife and then hold her captive for nine days, has been arrested by the Guardia Civil. Agents raided a property in the Murcia region town of Lorca after the woman managed to send a message via a mobile phone. A 38-year-old man was detained, while a second man was held in Almeria for helping him with the kidnapping. The woman’s ex-partner wanted to rekindle his relationship with her and tracked her down to the small town of Dalias in Almeria Province before abducting her.
Making a run for it
HAUL: From expat A GERMAN expat has been arrested for drug dealing after covert lockdown surveillance revealed that she was selling narcotics under the pretence of practicing sports. The Guardia Civil had received a tip-off from local residents at the end of April about a woman jogging around Calvia several times a day. Undercover officers were swiftly deployed, witnessing the ‘sports fanatic’ making several suspicious home deliveries during her runs. The investigation was brought to a head this week as her home was searched, uncovering more than 50 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of MDMA and 100 ecstasy pills in addition to a large quantity of cash.
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Chance in hell
MARKED MAN: Christie
LOVED: Willie Thorne
Snooker hero Thorne dies in Torrevieja SNOOKER legend Willie Thorne has died at Torrevieja’s Hospital Universitario. The 66-year-old from Leicester announced in March that he was being treated for leukaemia. As his health deteriorated he was placed into an induced coma after suffering from respiratory failure. He latterly lived in a Villamartin apartment on the Orihuela Costa. Thorne worked on BBC TV’s snooker coverage for many years until the 20172018 season when he was dropped. His peak as a player was in the mid-eighties when he reached number seven in the world rankings. Thorne’s funeral was held near Torrevieja yesterday. His former carer Julie O’Neill said: “This is an immensely difficult time for many. The world lost a champion.”
HAVE you always dreamed of starring alongside a real life Hells Angel in a Hollywood production in Spain? Well now you can. A casting call has been sent out for Marked The Unforgiven, a high-octane new series about an American biker club. Producers are seeking two actors for speaking parts in the show, which will start shooting in Almeria and Malaga in July. The programme is an adaptation of Marked, the bestselling book by George Christie, the founder of Hells Angels, Ventura. A ‘Mediterranean or Californian look’ and ‘tattoos’ will be ‘an advantage’. Applications should be sent to Lucy Carver at Lucy@ wanda-halcyon.com POSTER: For Marked
Talking bull… F1 Star Lewis Hamilton slammed for tackling bullfighting
BRITISH F1 star Lewis Hamilton has been slammed over his incendiary bullfighting remarks. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver, 35, posted a picture of a bloodied bull online with the caption: “This is truly disgusting Spain.” The six-time world champion added: "Kids in Spain are taught to torture and kill bulls
TARGET: Hamilton slammed over comments
- starting at age 14.” The vegan racer has been supporting a PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) campaign against kids taking part in bullfights. His bullfighting comments drew scorn from several high profile figures in Spain, in-
Royal return
BEACH TRIP: For Spanish Monarchy in Palma MALLORCA was graced with royalty on Thursday, as King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia jetted into Mallorca as part of a highly-anticipated tour across the country. Spain’s monarchy was promoting the ‘new normality’ in the Balearic Islands, with their first pit stop at the unusually tranquil Arenal beach alongside President Francina Armengol. Usually bursting with bathers at the peak of summer, the royals were instead greeted by a few dozen locals who quietly cheered the pair on. Next on the agenda was the Riu hotel on Playa de Palma.
ESTUCO INTERIORS
cluding well-known torero Cayetano Rivera Ordoñez. Cayetano said: “Mr Lewis Hamilton doesn't like bullfights... So? “Anyways, before criticising someone else's culture, you should at least learn more about what you're talking about.” Another leading bullfighter Fran Rivera also hit out at Hamilton. He said: “He is a person who has no idea what he is talking about, the first thing he should have to do is inform himself. “He is past arrogance, exceeds pride, and ignorance. I think it is an attack and a lack of respect for Spain, for all Spaniards and for our traditions.” The Spanish Minister of Culture and Sport, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes also waded into the row saying Hamilton’s words were ‘offensive’. An El Espanol poll last year showed that 56% of Spaniards are against bullfighting, 24.7% in favour, and 18.9% indifferent.
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June 26th - July 9th 2020
Miley plea SPANISH PM Pedro Sanchez and American pop star Miley Cyrus have become an unlikely Twitter partnership. The duo tweeted each other regarding coronavirus and its impact on minorities, leading to a tidal wave of social media memes. The 27-year-old former Disney star - goddaughter to Dolly Parton - tweeted: “Spain, you united in solidarity with Black Lives Matter in the US. We must keep standing together to tackle COVID-19 and its disproportionate impact on marginalised communities, especially communities of colour. Please join us.” Sanchez replied: “Ours is a strong commitment, Miley. Unity and multilateral response is the only way forward.”
TWEETS: Miley to Spanish PM
No Djoke NOVAK Djokovic and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19 just weeks after leaving lockdown at his Marbella mansion. The Serbian world number one, 33, and his partner, Jelena, 34 had attended his charity tennis tournament Adrious Tour Exhibition in Zadar, Croatia. It is there that the 17-time Grand Slam-winner is thought to have contracted the virus, with several other pros who attended also testing positive. Four tennis players, including Djokovic, Dimitrov, Borna Coric, and Victor Troicki all fell ill, as well as two of their trainers.
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NEWS
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Ferry good FOR the first time in more than 10 years, citizens will be able to travel between Mallorca and Formentera by direct ferry. The new route, operated by Balearia, will allow passengers to move between the two Balearic islands in just three hours. Launching on July 1, the company’s Ramon Llull vessel will complete the journey every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until September 20. Departing from the Port of Palma at 5pm and the Port of La Sabina in Formentera at midday, travellers will be able to enjoy the crystal clear waters and natural wonders of both islands. Previously, those wanting to travel to Formentera from Mallorca would have had to have taken a plane or boat to Ibiza, where they would then travel by boat to the Port of La Sabina.
New for old
Airlines take advantage of ‘new normal’, increasing fares by over 200% between Balearics and mainland Spain AIRLINES have been harshly criticised for increasing fares between the Balearic Islands and mainland Spain by over 200%. The Association of Consumers in the Balearic Islands (CONSUBAL) has warned of the ‘outrageous’ and ‘wild’ increases on flight prices since the country entered a ‘new normality.’ Carrying out a price comparison, the consumer organisation detected that routes have been increased by up to 225% from the same period last year.
JUST a day after Spain entered the ‘new normality’ three comarcas have reverted to Phase 2 of lockdown after a new coronavirus outbreak. Monday’s move affects 67,700 people in the comarcas – administrative divisions smaller than a province – in Aragon. Spain’s Health Minister, Salvador Illa, said that the situation in Aragon, which
THE Spanish Government will give up to €4,000 to people buying low emission cars. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez unveiled a €3.75 billion plan with 21 measures aimed at helping the automobile industry. Part of the amount will be direct aid, while €2.7 billion will be provided through soft loans for the sector through the state-owned bank, Instituto de Credito Español (ICO).
Cashing in SHADY: Airlines hike up ticket prices for tourists like Baibel and Matthias Drews For example, a return flight between Palma de Mallorca and Granada for three adults with a resident discount had cost €84.75 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The same route with the exact
is confined to the province of Huesca, is ‘on the way to being controlled’. The new outbreak in Aragon involves 50 infections and is thought to be the most serious of 11 outbreaks reported throughout Spain, including those in Madrid, Catalonia and the Canary Islands.
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conditions has now soared to €184.77. Noting the alarming hikes, its President Alfonso Rodriguez revealed that he has sent a letter to the Balearic Government demanding an immediate in-
Lockdown again
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June 26th - July 9th 2020
The decision to go back to Phase 2 was taken after several coronavirus outbreaks amongst fruit pickers in the municipalities of Binefar, Zaidin, Fraga and Monzon, with one fruit and vrg company being closed down after 14 of its workers were infected.
tervention on the ‘immoral abuse of airlines.’ These accusations have been backed by the Business Association of Balearic Travel Agencies (AVIBA) who also condemn the ‘obvious increases in fares.’ Chairman Francesc Mulet stated that companies ‘are taking advantage of those who want to travel to the Peninsula’, where the average increase exceeds 50%. This he said is being carried out by Iberia, Air Europa, Vueling and Ryanair. According to AVIBA, from June 21 to July 5, these airlines increased their fares progressively, taking advantage of the fact that the frequency of flights is lower and that demand is growing now the state of alarm has come to an end.
Flightmare HUNDREDS of German tourists have been left stranded at airports after two flights scheduled to jet into Mallorca were cancelled. More than 200 holidaymakers were set to touch down on the Balearic isle on Wednesday for the pilot test for tourism. However, these plans were dashed after the TUI Group failed to obtain the correct authorisation from the central government for the Eurowings flights to land in Spain. These flights, scheduled to depart from Cologne and Frankfurt, were not approved by the Ministry of Health to land in Mallorca, meaning that they were not published in the Official State Gazette (BOE). Once realising its colossal mistake, TUI decided to cancel both flights to avoid encountering problems at Son Sant Joan airport where they would likely be ordered to return to their destination of origin.
NEWS
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Silver bullet
A CHEAP and widely available drug can help save the lives of patients seriously ill with coronavirus, it has been revealed. According to UK experts, dexamethasone, a low-dose steroid treatment, can prove critical in saving someone’s life from the virus. The drug is already used to reduce inflammation in a range of other conditions, including arthritis, asthma and some skin conditions. It has recently also been used as part of the world’s biggest trial, cutting the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators, while for those on oxygen, it cut deaths by a fifth. Led by a team from Oxford University, about 2,000 hospital patients were given dexamethasone and were compared with more than 4,000 who were not. For patients on ventilators it cut the risk of death from 40% to 28% and for those on oxygen from 25% to 20%. Chief investigator Professor Peter Horby said: "This is the only drug so far that has been shown to reduce mortality and it reduces it significantly. “It's a major breakthrough." Lead researcher Professor Martin Landray said: “The treatment is up to 10 days of dexamethasone and it costs about €5.50 per patient. “So essentially it costs €55 to save a life.” It does not appear to help people with milder symptoms of coronavirus who do not need help with their breathing.
Assad state of affairs THE uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is wanted in Spain on money laundering charges, has been jailed for four years by a French court. Rifaat al-Assad, aged 82, will also have his property portfolio in Paris and London, worth €90 million, seized. He was convicted of embezzling Syrian state funds to buy homes and offices. The former Syrian vice president, who violently put down an uprising in the country in 1982 in which up to 25,000 people died, was not in court for the ruling and plans to appeal. Rifaat al-Assad is a well known figure
in Spain where he controlled a property empire worth €695 million, including luxury real estate in Marbella and along the Costa del Sol. The en- UNCLE: Rifaat al-Assad of President Assad (right) tire portfolio was his children and two of his wives to stand seized by Spanish investigators in 2017. Spain’s High Court wants to try al-Asaad trial. Al-Assad left Syria in 1984. He alfor money laundering, with him being legedly struck a deal with the president accused of siphoning off Syrian govern- of the country, his brother Hafez al-Asment funds. Judge José de la Mata wants sad, to exit with around €270 million of al-Assad and 14 others including eight of government funds after a failed coup.
Quack sacked
Doctor in Spain’s Balearic Islands SUSPENDED after publicly denying coronavirus pandemic
A DOCTOR in the Balearic Islands has been suspended after publicly denying the existence of the coronavirus pandemic. Angel Ruiz Valdepeñas, who specialises in family and community medicine in the Emergency Department of Formentera Hospital, aird his controversial views at a rally in Madrid. He caused a stir among his peers after attending the ‘Against the new world order’ demonstration on June 13. Wearing his hospital scrubs, Valdepenas claimed that ‘there was no coronavirus pandemic’ and that, therefore, ‘there was no point in wearing a mask’ and ‘social distancing did not make sense.’
CRACKERS: The conspiracy theories of Doctor Angel Ruiz Valdepeñas (right) By Isha Sesay
He also went on to say that the measures laid down by the Spanish Government were to instil fear in citizens with the aim of controlling the population. This he believes is how ‘we would accept what they call a
vaccine’ but that it will actually be a ‘genetic engineering experiment.’ Valdepeñas further argued that SARS-CoV-2 was in fact not of natural origin but ‘a biological weapon’ that was first manufactured in the US before being finished in a laboratory in Wuhan, China. Footage of his commentary quickly went viral on social
Keys Isl nd
Property surge Amanda Butler is excitedly welcoming a stream of new enquiries as Mallorca opens up once again
ITH the state of alarm now lifted, the Balearic Islands opened their borders to over 10,000 German tourists early last week as a test run – the first tourism since lockdown began mid-March. They were received with mixed reactions – some locals up in arms, particularly since there were no tests involved, and others reliant upon tourism to survive welcoming them with open arms. Other flights which came from Germany via Zurich were turned away since their route invalidated the EU agreements – oh boy did some flight route manager mess that one up! Although I would prefer to ignore the ‘C’ topic, we can’t avoid the fact there have been a few Spanish outbreaks, but none thankfully in the Balearics. These have apparently been controlled and there is no threat of another state of alarm for the time being. So it is now time that we all pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off and make the most of the summer – albeit a slightly different version to the past, masks and all! According to numerous international sources it is felt that Mallorca and the Balearics is a safe destination which has done its homework very well, recently reiterated by Norbert Fiebig, the Chairman of the German Travel Association. Good feedback. We have all been waiting with baited breath for the news about the UK dropping its two-week quarantine
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Swiss scuppered SWISS plans to strip a terrorist of his citizenship have been scuppered by Spain. Daniel D, also known as Abu Ilias al-Swissri, was dubbed ‘Switzerland’s most dangerous jihadi’ after he left the country in 2015 to join Islamic State. He has been languishing in a Syrian jail since being captured in June last year. The 24-year-old was born in Geneva to Swiss and Spanish parents and held dual citizenship. The Swiss government had started the long process to remove his citizenship only to find Spain had beaten them to it in 2015. This means Switzerland can not do the same as it would leave the terrorist stateless. Spain and Switzerland cooperate on anti-terrorism measures, but in this case communication would appear to have broken down. Daniel D is the only Swiss jihadist on an Interpol list of 173 members of IS’s ‘martyr brigade’. He was captured by the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Syrian town of Al-Baghuz.
Hey big lender media, receiving strong criticism from healthcare professionals as well as the Balearic Minister of Health, Patricia Gomez. During a visit to Can Misses Hospital in Ibiza Gomez was probed on Valdepenas’ behaviour where she stressed the importance of ‘not spreading messages that do not have any scientific evidence.’
SPAIN’S biggest banks have been cashing in by borrowing as much as they could in ultra-cheap loans from the European Central Bank (ECB). CaixaBank led four of the nation’s five biggest banks to borrow a collective €97.9 billion. A total of €1.3 trillion was lent to more than 700 banks across Europe by the ECB in the programme known as targeted longer-term refinancing operations (TLTRO). The loans are for a three-year term.
By Amanda Butler
to the
W
June 26th - July 9th 2020
requirements upon re-entry – with a green light being shown by the British Government to 10 European countries including Spain from July 4. This signaled a huge leap in internet activity with phones ringing ‘off the hook’ with property enquiries for both rentals and sales flooding in. This was a good sign for our islands – giving hope to many, particularly those out of work and on Spanish Government’s ERTE furlough scheme, waiting to know if and when the main tourist facilities will open. As for me personally, having lost one client that was so close to signing the Option Contract for an exclusive property listing in Old Bendinat for €7.7 million, I actually received some new interest two weeks ago through another agent with a client wanting to make a revised offer on the property. I was wondering why I hadn’t heard, and then just yesterday was informed that they would be withdrawing their interest due to difficult business issues. It turns out they were the owners of the German meat factory that caused the whole region to go back into lockdown after 1,500 tested positive at the factory last week! Most unfortunate, on all levels. So that’s it from me for this week – looking forward to seeing you in July! Be safe, take precautions, but let’s get on with our lives and enjoy every precious moment. If I can be of help to find you your dream home in the sun, please get in contact. Amanda J Butler – an holistic approach to real estate in Mallorca. MJC Associates - +34 690075169, ajb@mjcassociates.net
OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Tourists and foreign buyers back in Mallorca
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NEWS FEATURE
www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION Take care A SCROLL through expat Facebook groups will tell you that not everyone in Spain is best pleased at the return of foreign tourism. After 100 days of lockdown, Brits and other nationalities have once again begun to descend on Spanish shores, albeit cautiously. Many business-owners, especially those in the hospitality industry, are chuffed to bits at the thought of foreigners spending their euros. However, some expats and Spaniards have expressed fears that there could be a ‘second wave’ of coronavirus. Spain’s draconian lockdown was enacted sooner and removed later than that of the UK. Many who live here are worried at what they see as the laissez-faire approach to the virus adopted by the British public and the British Government. Boris Johnson and his ministers have been lambasted for ‘returning to normal’ too soon, while Pedro Sanchez and his administration in Spain have been criticised for dragging their feet. Whichever is the right approach, caution over foreign visitors is not only logical but necessary. The coronavirus is still in Spain – a fact hammered home this week by the news of three outbreaks in the northern province of Huesca, with the affected areas reverted to Phase 2. Caution at the arrival of outsiders is understandable and may prove the difference between freedom and a return to lockdown.
Time for closure AS each day goes past the suspicions mount that paedophile Christopher Brueckner is to blame for the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The Olive Press has tracked down the jailed pervert’s former ‘best friend’ Michael Tatschl who has given editor Jon Clarke a chilling insight into the mind of the serial offender. It is a sobering testimony into the depravity of a criminal mind that makes us sleep a little easier in bed knowing that this monster is safely locked up behind bars. But that is not enough. Answers are needed so that Maddie’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, can at least know what happened and perhaps rest a little easier themselves. Tatschl is convinced that Brueckner is guilty. If he truly is and if he has any conscious at all then Brueckner should heed his former friend’s words. “I really hope they can finally close this case for the family and find Christian guilty for what he has done. He needs to admit it to the police and close it for good.”
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Finca fiend
‘I know he snatched Maddie,’ says former traveller friend, who spent months with him in the Algarve and southern Spain
A
DANGEROUS paedophile linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann spent long periods of time in southern Spain, the Olive Press can reveal. Convicted rapist Christian Brueckner was a regular visitor to the Alpujarras area of Granada, where he bought and sold drugs. The Olive Press has discovered that the German sex offender, 43, would frequently stop en route to Portugal
By Jon Clarke, in Orgiva or Germany, in his various buses or vans. And chillingly, he was seen in the area with an expensive new Winnebago just weeks after the toddler went missing from Portugal in May 2007. “He was there in various vans and he came many times in his Jaguar,”
said his close friend Michael ‘Micha’ Tatschl, 46, who lived in the town of Orgiva for many years. Austrian Tatschl - who had previously shared a home with him on the Algarve - told the Olive Press: “I am sure he snatched Maddie. I know he did it. He was a pervert and a very strange man.” The carpenter and petty criminal, who spent eight months in prison with Brueckner, knew the German well and
To catch a predator
How the Olive Press traced Maddie McCann suspect to sleepy inland village - and potentially cracked open the case
I
COULDN’T help but get the chills drivBy Laurence Dollimore ing late at night along the pitch black on the Algarve roads around the inland village of Barao de Sao Joao. Were these silent trails used by Christian Brueckner to transport Madeleine Mc- the village provided another clue to what Cann to his lair back in May 2007? Was is likely a silent epidemic in these parts. the three-year-old alive... was she crying “Every Friday there’s a huge ‘pizza party’ for her parents? in a field near here and I’ve seen everyIt doesn’t bear thinking about, but it’s thing there. hard not to imagine the worst while “There’s heroin and every drug you can re-tracing the steps of potentially one of imagine, this week I watched a teenage Europe’s most dangerous paedophiles. girl gyrate and kiss a man in his 60s, it We had arrived in the Algarve earlier that was pretty weird.” day after police in Germany sensation- And then there was the ‘wanted man’, ally announced Brueckner as the main with a €50,000 reward on his head, who suspect in the case. he saw at the party the previous night. With a press pack growing rapidly in our “And there was this couple walking wake, we visited two of the convicted around stark naked who simply squatted paedophile’s former homes, one in Praia and peed wherever they wanted.” da Luz and one in Monte Judeu, which is Such parties would have definitely ata few miles from the ‘alternative’ com- tracted Brueckner, who is said to have munity of Barao de Sao Joao and just befriended a ‘hippy flower-seller’ from 13 minutes from where Maddie was the village and who was a known drug snatched in 2007. dealer. Then living out of his distinctive West- However, placing Brueckner anywhere falia van, having been evicted from his can be a tall order, not only because of rental home in Luz, while spending eight the time that has passed, but because months in prison, Brueckof the mostly hostile locals ner knew the area like the who don’t want to tarnish back of his hand. “There’s heroin their slice of paradise, We soon learnt how the while the majority still think and every area is the quintessential the parents are responsimecca for so-called ‘van-lifble. drug you can ers’, who, for whatever moAs a man who now lives tivation, live out of camper imagine, it was above the Ocean Club vans, of all descriptions, apartment where Maddie pretty weird” travelling from town to stayed tells us: “The Mctown. Canns are hated around While many are genuhere. When they put up ine and enjoy the off-the-grid lifestyle, posters everywhere for the 10th anniverthere’s no doubt it provides the perfect sary they were all torn down or covered cover (as do the communities around Or- in paint,” he chuckled. giva, in the Alpujarras region of Granada) But after reaching out to around 30 exfor monsters and criminals like Brueck- pats on various Facebook groups, on the ner, who began his reign of terror at aged off chance that someone knew Brueck17, when he molested a six-year-old girl ner and actually wanted to help, we got a in Germany. hit. A German woman told us he became “There are some very strange people pals with a British expat while living in a around here,” explained former yacht village named Foral in 2007, JUST AFTER dealer Jim, who works at the charming Maddie vanished. Monte Rosa guesthouse, in Barao. We headed there at first light and got He told us about a Dutchman, who had knocking on doors. After getting the cold been beaten to death in his bed just two shoulder from a few Brits, it was an elweeks earlier over a heroin deal gone derly German couple who were all too wrong - while one man covered in injec- keen to help. tion marks and bruises drew out cash in Talking slowly and worried about the
HIDEAWAY: The home in Foral, Portugal, where ramifications, they revealed how they had seen his distinctive Westfalia parked outside nearby Villa Bianca while staying with his longtime German friend Nicole Fehlinger, who rented the property from 2002 to 2009. They couldn’t believe the police had never been in town and their story was confirmed by the owner, Lia Silva, who alarmingly revealed how Nicole was running a ‘rehabilitation programme for troubled teenagers’ - one of whom ran away and became pregnant at 15. More mysterious was her partner Romano, described as ‘extremely nasty’, and the drugs and needles found in the villa when they were finally evicted after five year of failing to pay rent, leading to various court cases. It was very intriguing and we were a step ahead of the chasing pack. Once the cat was out of the bag, locals became very helpful as the world’s media descended on the tiny village following our story in the Mail on Sunday. The following week Nicole’s father confirmed to us that Brueckner had a huge Winnebago which he told the former ambulance driver, he had transported drugs and children in. “As I looked inside, I asked him: ‘Herr Brueckner, what do you do in Portugal? What is your job?’ He told me: ‘I work, I get money, because I have a special business. “He told me: ‘I can transport children, kids, in this space. Drugs and children, you can transport them in this van, it’s a safe space in the van, nobody can find them. Nobody can catch you.’” He clearly wanted to be caught.
June 24th - July 7th 2020 DARK SECRET: Idyllic scene visited by Maddie suspect in his Winnebago (inset)
lived with him for years. The pair even shared a run-down finca in Praia da Luz, which overlooked the seaside resort where Maddie was snatched. He knew Christian was an excellent bur-
e Christian Brueckner often stayed The vehicle - which the Olive Press has now also placed in Granada a few weeks after Maddie went missing - was later found on land Brueckner owned in Brunswick, northern Germany, in May 2016. Police had been investigating the disappearance of five-year-old Inga Gehricke - referred to as the ‘German Maddie’ - which Brueckner is also suspected of. Now being probed over five missing youngsters, investigators found several items of children’s clothing, including ‘small swimsuits’ in the motorhome, while six memory sticks containing thousands of images of child abuse were discovered in a bag buried underneath the body of a dead dog. But as more comes out about Brueckner’s lifestyle in the area, the search continues for the ever-elusive smoking gun. The concrete evidence which proves definitively that Brueckner was responsible for Maddie’s disappearance. The biggest question is whether or not the toddler was transported out of Portugal, potentially to order, which is looking extremely likely going on our recent investigation in Orgiva this week. What is clear is that there is still more to unravel in this case, and it seems to be up to us journalists to close the circle on Brueckner, with the police either incapable or refusing to act. We can only hope that the smoking gun still exists, and that we haven’t arrived too late.
glar, who stole hundreds of passports, and they even got convicted together for stealing fuel from lorries in 2006. After a two-day grilling by German police last year, he expected an arrest to be ‘imminent’ and he ‘cannot believe’ Portuguese detectives have still not yet searched the former home they shared. The father-of-one, who now lives near Graz, revealed that the German had a huge stash of cash hidden in the attic, as well as dozens of expensive watches. Speaking for the first time, he revealed: “I know he did it. I was living with him at the time. He was my best friend and he was definitely a pervert and more than capable of snatching a child, for sexual kicks or money. “I was staying at his house and camping in a van in the garden. We spent a lot of time together and had good fun. “He had a German girlfriend who was at least 20 years older than him. I can’t remember her name but she lived a few miles out of town. “He was always very smart and snappy in the way he dressed. He always had good shoes and sometimes even wore a suit to go out. But while Micha had fun hanging out with the German, he became aware of his dark side. “He was definitely quite a strange character... how to explain it? Well he was always quite criminal... He liked to brag about the crimes he had done and planned to do... And how he aimed to steal as much money as he could until he reached his dream of having €1 million. Then he would stop.” Talking by phone at his ex-girlfriend’s home in the village of Tablones, near Orgiva, he added: “It was rich pickings there in Praia da Luz. He was always breaking into apartments in the area and bragging about it to me... He was a very good burglar. “He particularly liked European Championships or big football games when ev-
PAL: Michael Tatschl
eryone would be out watching the game in bars. “He would climb up to the first floor and steal everything, lots of money, valuables and so many passports. In fact hundreds of passports and lots of Rolexes and other expensive watches. “He had a hiding place in the house in the rafters. He had all the money and passports hidden up there. “It was his stash and when we were taken to prison, he ordered a friend to go and clear it up and get rid of any evidence of burglaries or robberies.” But it was this decision that may ultimately lead to his conviction over Maddie, as the friend and another mate, both German, found a series of sick videos that Christian kept there. In particular, they found a video camera with a video of him raping an old woman. “That’s how I found out he was a sick bastard, as they told me it was of this elderly lady who was chained to a wooden post and she was being beaten and raped. “They said ‘hey Mika what should we do with this?’ I said ‘I really don’t know, I don’t want to see it’ and I think they ended up burning it. “I told the police all about that story and I hope they verified it somehow. “On top of that, Christian was always on the dark web. He would talk about it and always had internet in the houses he rented. I don’t know exactly what he did but I suspect it involved drugs and pornography. “He was always bragging about money and making money. He even talked about selling kids maybe to Morocco...and I think he probably sold Maddie to someone. Maybe a sex ring. “I didn’t really think about it at the time. Just brushed it off as joking. But I admit I got sucked into some of his schemes. “Taking fuel seemed pretty harmless and we did it for a few months. “The cops caught us red handed, caught us stealing diesel and we got 8-and-a-half months in prison on remand waiting for a trial in Portimao. “We were caught on April 7, 2006, but we didn’t have our actual trial until December 21. I don’t know why they kept us for so long and I ended up with a €1800 fine, while Christian got a little bit more as he was rude to the judge.” After spending a few weeks back in Austria for Christmas he came back in February to find Christian was now living in his distinctive white and yellow VW van, having lost his rental home. “But he was still enjoying living in the Praia da Luz area. I think that confused the police a little as they were not sure where he
ALTERNATIVE: Lifestyle in hippie enclave visited by Brueckner was living exactly when Maddie vanished. knew immediately that he was guilty. The “He was living free, going to raves and part where the female tourist talked about I think selling drugs to the local party the man turning up at her door while her crowd. He also had his Jaguar parked up child played by the front door, the creepy somewhere.” guy with acne and blonde hair... I just Micha however, decided to move back to knew it was Christian.” Spain, partly because he hadn’t paid his It is a bit unclear what happened next but fine and also to attend the Dragon Festival within weeks there was a knock at the in Orgiva in March that year. door at his village near Graz and four po“The Dragon Festival was fun and the licemen asked him to escort them to the next time I saw him was in late May or police station. early June 2007 when he arrived in Spain “It was the first week of April last year and with his big American campervan, the there were two Austrian police and two Winnebago, the one with the (childrens’) German police. I told them my story over swimsuits. 14 hours from 10 am to 6 pm on the first “He parked it up in Orgiva and came look- day and then from 10 am until 4 pm the ing for me. It was the only reason he had next day. They were very clear with me come to Orgiva to find me. He knew that from the first minute. They said ‘we are inI was living there and he knew I had con- vestigating Maddie McCann and Christian nections to the marijuana Brueckner’ and I told them world and could help him I was convinced it was him. make money. “I told them I know what “He had some “He had a big dog, an old you want. I hope I can help. dog, a big brown and white sexual issues “I just dread to think of dog called Charlie I think... what other crimes he may but we didn’t But otherwise he was on have committed since. his own.” “He was definitely a perthink he liked There were certainly susvert and all his friends picions however, about young children” thought that about him. He where he had got his monhad some sexual issues ey. but we didn’t think that he “We all wondered where liked young children. he’d got this big expensive van which he “He was certainly in Orgiva quite a few parked up next to a French group who had times since then...many times with his a big sound system. Jaguar and other vehicles and normally “I remember specifically having a conver- transporting hashish. sation with an English guy who lived there “What sort of crimes might he have comcalled ‘Pops’ and we both said how on mitted there? I know there have been earth could have had that vehicle? Where some sex crimes around the area over the did he get the money from? We assumed last decade and it wouldn’t be surprising if a big drug deal or something like that. he was involved. Now I suspect it was Maddie. “I really hope they can finally close this “He was only there that time for a couple case for the family and find Christian guilty of days and went on back to Germany sell- for what he has done. He needs to admit it ing marijuana. to the police and close it for good. “After that he was often coming back- “At least I’m sure he’s having a terrible wards and forwards to Spain and to Por- time in prison and everyone is out to kill tugal, mostly dealing drugs, and we often him. He won’t be having a nice life now saw him here with this Jaguar.” and he doesn’t deserve it.” It was only when Micha watched the indepth Netflix documentary in March last Did you see Christian Brueckner in year on the case, that he finally realised southern Spain? Did he camp near you Christian may have snatched Maddie. “I in the Alpujarras or the Costa del Sol?
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NEWS
June 26th - July 9th 2020
Happy to be here!
German tourists give Spain’s Mallorca the thumbs up as life starts to return to normal
OP QUICK Crossword Across 7 Incomparable (6) 8 Tidy (6) 9 Small wind-powered vessel (7,4) 11 Watch over (5) 12 Tract of grassland (7) 15 Elaborate dance party (7) 16 Tender (5) 18 Tube (11) 21 Reflecting surface (6) 22 Agriculturist (6)
T
HE first batch of tourists to arrive in Mallorca since the coronavirus lockdown have sent out a resounding message – ‘We’re happy to be here!’ The Olive Press has been out and about to chat to some of the sunseekers who touched down this week. The first tourist flight allowed into Palma as Spain starts to return to normality was from Dusseldorf and was part of a pilot scheme to restart the tourist economy. Around 10,000 travellers are expected to arrive in Mallorca in the next two weeks. Christian Meyer from Dusseldorf said: “I’m really happy to be here in Mallorca. I’ve been coming to the island every year once or twice a year. “Normally there are many thousands of people, it’s quieter, but safe here.” Alexandra Knies-lke travelled from Frankfurt with her parents and two children. They have visited Mallorca three times before and are staying in the RUI Hotel. Alexandra, who is an office worker said: “It’s different now because you always have to wear masks and it’s emptier than before. “If you come into the hotel there is a camera which takes your temperature. Also every time you go to eat in the restaurant you have to wear masks, but not by the pool or on the beach. “My children are so happy to be here on the beach playing in
Photos by Terenia Taras
LOVING LIFE: Germans Wolfgang and Christiane enjoying Mallorca, while (below) Christian Meyer from Dusseldorf enjoys drinks with pals on a terrace
NURSES: Dustin and Yvone on break from Germany’s frontline the sun.” Dustin Witt, 24, and Yvone Diederichs, 25, are both nurses from Trier, near Luxembourg, they worked in a hospital with COVID-19 patients and this is their first break and holiday. Dustin said: “This is our first holiday because we work in a hospital and because of coronavirus we were not allowed to take any holiday time. We are both very happy to be here on vacation. “We feel very safe here in Mallorca and felt safe travelling. We have both been here before and it’s very quiet and the first time we’ve seen less people on the beach. Wolfgang, 62, who is retired, and Christiane Gmelch, 58, a bank manager, arrived in Mallorca on Monday from Wurz-
burg. It is their first trip to the island, which they chose as their usual destination in Portugal is still closed. Wolfgang said: “We were expecting many more people, but it’s nice for us. We have no problem with this. I think if every tourist lives with these rules then it’s not going to be a problem.” They are staying in a hotel in a popular German resort Playa de Palma. Wolfgang said: “We have COVID-19 in Germany and the rules there are the same as here. In the hotel you have to wear masks. In the restaurant you have to wear gloves and when you go into the hotel, restaurant or bars they take your temperature.”
OP Sudoku
Down 1 Besides (3) 2 Flight formation (8) 3 Trades (5) 4 Trap (7) 5 Paint unskilfully (4) 6 Kinsfolk (9) 10 Genuine (9) 13 Foot soldiers (8) 14 Source of bacon (7) 17 Snug (5) 19 Nobleman (4) 20 Northern hemisphere constellation (3)
All solutions are on page 14
SUNNING IT: Alexandra enjoys the near-empyty Playa de Palma after arriving from Germany
LA CULTURA No Indiana
A SPANISH archaeologist has been jailed for faking Basque finds that included supposed hieroglyphics. In 2006 Eliseo Gil presented artefacts that he ‘discovered’ at the Roman town of Veleia, near the city of Vitoria. The ‘finds’ included pieces of ‘third-century pottery’ engraved with one of the ‘first depictions of the crucified Christ’, Egyptian hieroglyphics and Basque words that predated the earliest known written examples of the language by 600 years. But experts disputed their authenticity, pointing out that some of the pieces bore traces of modern glue, and others made references to Rene Descartes, a 17th century French philosopher. Gil soon became under suspicion after he presented his findings to language expert Joaquin Gorrochategui, who soon began to spot inconsistencies. He noticed that the Latin used on the inscriptions was ‘vulgar’ and contained numerous errors. “I could not believe my eyes as the slides were projected onto the screen,” the professor said. Now a court has found Gil and his collaborators, Ruben Cerdan and Oscar Escribano guilty of fraud, sentencing them to 27 months, 15 months and 12 months in jail respectively.
Do you have a what’s on?
June 26th - July 9th 2020
Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es
MUSICAL events in the ‘new normality’ will be defined by open-air concerts under strict attendance capacities where guests must be seated a ‘safe’ distance from one another. One of the first venues to take full advantage of the new governmental restrictions is the iconic Bellver Castle, announcing a series of concerts throughout the summer. The line-up will include the acclaimed Balearic Sympho-
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Fort support ny Orchestra which will offer 23 intimate performances featuring international stars until September 26. Well-versed in making history since its establishment, the orchestra is the first in Spain and third in Europe to resume activity after confinement.
A survivor’s tale
The story of a Spaniard who escaped English clutches THE incredible survival story of a Spanish Armada captain is to be re-told in a new film. Captain Francisco de Cuellar was one of the few Spanish sailors to survive when three ships of the Spanish Armada sank off the coast of Sligo in Ireland. His dramatic escape to Londonderry (Derry), on to Scotland and eventually back home to Spain has been told in Armada 1588: Shipwreck and Survival. Produced by the Sligo community group, Spanish Armada Ireland, the film’s virtual release casts further light on the era of the Armada, the Nine Years’ War and Donegal chieftain, Red Hugh O’Donnell. Spanish Armada Ireland chairman, Eddie O’Gorman said the new film was based on the words of its hero, de Cuellar.
Up to 1,000 Spaniards were slain by British-backed forces on the Irish coast, but de Cuellar managed to miraculously escape. During the following seven months, he was robbed, assaulted and humiliated before coming under the protection of Gaelic chieftains, O’Rourke and MacClancy. O’Gorman told the Irish News: “De Cuellar was essentially forced to roam the countryside naked, having been robbed of his clothes, before being found by O’Rourke of Breffni and MacClancy of Rosscloghar.” The Spanish captain eventually made his way to Londonderry (Derry), where the bishop, Redmond Gallagher secured passage for him and his 12 countrymen for Scotland. From there he managed to escape to Spain, while writing
SCENE: Streedagh Strand where Armada ships sank an account of his adventures, despite suffering another shipwreck. “The letter was essentially the first draft of
his defence back to the King of Spain in his court martial and the film is based on that,” O’Gorman said.
See Spain’s reluctant armada admiral, on page 10
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LA CULTURA
Disputed archive throws fascinating insight on the man behind Spain’s plans to invade England
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BATTLE is raging for control of a treasure trove of some of Spain’s most historic documents. At stake is the fate of the Duke of Medina Sidonia’s archive foundation – which is not actually controlled by the duke. Instead it is in the hands of the lesbian widow of his mother, who was known as the Red Duchess for her left-wing leanings. The duke is taking legal action to take control of the unique archive, which houses six million documents dating back to 1159. They offer a fascinating insight into the New World uncovered by conquistadores, the expulsion of Moriscos – descendants of Muslims who had converted to Christianity – from Spain and a privileged view of the political machinations behind the Spanish Armada. This disastrous attempt to invade England in 1588 was famously led by Alonso Perez du Guzman, the seventh Duke of Medina Sidonia. The archive shows that he took on the job with some reluctance, perhaps nervous of facing the formidable Queen Elizabeth. He was the richest feudal landowner in Spain and had served King Philip II in several military
June 26th - July 9th 2020
Spain’s reluctant armada admiral
RED DUCHESS: Ceded control of estate to lover
campaigns. But his talent lay in administration rather than as a battlefield leader. Philip had put him in charge of preparing the invasion, with Alvaro de Bazan, the
By Dilip Kuner
Marques de Santa Cruz, tasked with commanding the fleet. When de Bazan died soon be-
fore the invasion was launched, Philip decided du Guzman should take command. The archive contains the letter Philip sent to the duke ordering him to take the post, and more interestingly the reply. Du Guzman’s reluctance was obvious. He emphasised his lack of military experience on land or at sea. He also complained of poor health, and, in perhaps a last desperate throw of the dice to escape his duty, he highlighted his tendency to suffer from seasickness. But Philip was having none of it and insisted that du Guzman
take the post - and the rest, as they say, is history. Now du Guzman’s descendant, the 64-year-old 22nd duke, Alonso González de Gregorio, is himself fighting a battle with a formidable female as his foe, and this one has lasted a lot longer than the sorry saga of the armada. His mother, Luisa Isabel Alvarez de Toledo y Maura, died in 2008. She had recently married her longterm lover, German-born Liliane Dahlmann. In a final snub to Spanish society the rebellious
duchess had installed Dahlmann as head of the foundation in control of the archive as well as leaving her the entire estate. After a 10-year legal battle the duke, his younger brother and sister succeeded in gaining ownership of the estate. But 64-year-old Dahlmann retained the right to live in the 12th century ancestral pile in
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For the latest news and information, find us on Facebook IRON LADY: Liliane Dahlmann, the Red Duchess’ widow is not for turning, as she still presides over the archive of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, despite a legal battle with his descendant
LA CULTURA
ctant ral
PALACIO DUCAL: Fought-over treasure trove of Spanish history Sanlucar de Barrameda (Cadiz). So now the two factions live in separate wings of the same house while carrying out a succession of legal actions against each other.
This tense state of affairs has only been made worse as Dahlmann has moved in her new partner, Montserrat Viñamata, who just happens to be the duke’s ex-wife.
Do you have a what’s on? Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es
June 26th - July 9th 2020
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BUSINESS
June 26th - July 9th 2020
Carry on investing TOP Spanish supermarket chain, Mercadona, is steaming ahead with €1.7 billion of investments this year, despite seeing profits slashed due to the coronavirus emergency. Mercadona president, Juan Roig, said that the company will not change its plans, which include opening new
Competitive SPAIN has ranked 36th on the list of most competitive countries in the world, while the UK came in 19th. The IMD business school conducts an annual World Competitiveness Ranking of 63 countries across different categories such as economic performance, business efficiency, life expectancy and unemployment rate. Spain remained in the same position as last year, but has worsened in three of the four major categories, including economic performance and business efficiency. The country ranks staggeringly badly for unemployment, coming in 59th place, only four spots above the bottom. The UK is up four places overall from last year when it was ranked 23rd.
ERTE extension
Spain’s largest supermarket chain continues to invest despite profit drop of 95% By Alex Trelinski
stores and revamping existing stores. The company is plotting a major expansion across
Portugal, while domestic investments will see €35 million pumped into the Murcia region over the next 12 months, including three new stores. Mercadona saw profits of
€5 million in March – just 5% of expected profits – as extensive health measures and changes to its stores were made to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Mercadona rival, Consum,
Charlotte’s made up BRITISH makeup mogul Charlotte Tilbury has sold her cosmetics empire to Spanish fashion company Puig. The celebrity makeup artist flogged her namesake as part of a deal that likely valued the business at over €1 billion. The 47-year-old owned between 50-75% of the company until signing a deal with Barcelona-based Puig, which should have secured her a payout worth tens of millions of euros. The London-born makeup artist will continue to own a significant stake and act as Chair, President and Chief Creative Officer, but will no longer be the majority shareholder.
PAYDAY: As Tilbury offloads her makeup brand
is also rolling out a traffic-light sensor system at its 450 outlets that will tell shoppers when they can enter their stores. That has cost €2.5 million to install, while Mercadona said its full package of safety plans has added up to €100 million by the end of April. Lockdown travel restrictions also saw shoppers having to use different supermarkets with brand consultants Kantar reporting a rare fall for Mercadona in sales share up to mid-May. Though the chain was still Spain’s largest at 24.9% of sales, that was a fall of 0.6% compared to the first five months of last year.
THE Spanish Government has said it will extend its ERTE schemes until September 30. The financial programmes, which allow employers to lay off or temporarily suspend workers during crises are set to expire on June 30. But officials from the Ministry of Labor have tabled a draft Royal Decree-law that proposes to renew them for another three months. Government ministers have been locked in talks with the UGT and CCOO unions, as well as some of the country’s largest employers. Finance Minister Maria Jesus Montero said her Government had ‘great confidence’ that an agreement would be reached. It comes as leading Spanish multinationals piled pressure on the Government to secure an ERTE extension. Pablo Isla from Inditex and Mercadona founder Juan Roig were among those calling on the Government to extend ERTE at a key summit.
Balearic boost
THE Government of the Balearic Islands has agreed to increase aid for the self-employed in Mallorca whose work has been impacted by the coronavirus crisis. An agreement to extend the extraordinary benefit for autonomous workers was reached after discussions with the Consell de Mallorca. The pot of €11.4 million will be topped up with a further €8 million and is expected to benefit an additional 4,000 people. The economic package, which aims to support these professionals in a ‘new normality,’ was introduced to stimulate economic recovery and curb unemployment.
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PROPERTY
June 26th - July 9th 2020
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Resale gloom By Alex Trelinski
RESALE property prices in Spain’s tourist areas face a short-term drop of over 10% cent due to the coro-
Spain’s new-builds may escape worst of crisis, but homes being sold on to be hit harder navirus pandemic, it has emerged. That’s the assessment of Mikel Echavarran, CEO, of
property investment company, Colliers International Spain. Experts believe that the crisis will not have
Cowboys of Congress TWO key politicians in the Vox party have again been caught marketing illegal apartments in Madrid without disclosing the properties’ official planning status. Four new apartments now make a list of 18 dwellings that were advertised on the design studio website of current Vox leader in Madrid, Rocio Monasterio, and her husband Ivan Espinosa de los Monteros (bottom left), the party’s spokesman in congress. The first of the apartments came to light nine months ago following an El Pais investigation, before Monasterio and Espinosa de los Monteros shut their website down and refused to comment directly on allegations. At least one former resident – three of the 18 apartments remain occupied – accused the couple of promising planning permission before ‘disappearing’. The politicians have responded via a spokesperson that ‘the clients signed contracts specifying the buildings were not houses’. They added that any move to live permanently in the buildings was the ‘clients’ own choice’.
any major impact on newbuild prices and construction. However, Echavarran believes that home sellers in areas like Mallorca, the Costa Blanca, and Andalucia will have to be prepared to deal with a double-digit fall in prices.
Recovery
LOFTY: Vox politicians’ Madrid flats But the pair did not comment on why their website advertised the residences complete with bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces. Spain’s state prosecution service, La Fiscalia, is reportedly investigating Monasterio for a crime of falsifying work permits. According to the relevant property registry, the apartments and ‘lofts’ are classed as warehouses, garages and other non-residential buildings. The latest four added to the list are all based in the popular neighbourhoods of Tetuan and Fuencarral.
&
“Prices will continue on a downward curve until early next year at the least,” said Echavarran. “Everything will then depend on how the economy recovers and whether or not there is a serious increase in coronavirus cases during the winter.” The Colliers long-term assessment of the overall property market is not the most optimistic either. Echavarran added: “We are working on the basis of at least a 30% fall in sales this year” It goes on to say: “The full recovery of the market could take as long as four to five years.”Other analysts believe a recovery will be much faster compared to when the property bubble ‘burst’ in Spain back in 2007.
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June 26th - July 9th 2020
Terenia Taras Telling it like it is
Terenia Taras celebrates lockdown liberation in Mallorca with a blow-out and a blast of George Michael sit in a restaurant and eat! Wow, what a luxury that feels like now! So, after doing our two weeks quarantine (and let’s pray this is the last of lockdown) I have been able to indulge in all of the above. Being new to Mallorca still meant a lot of bureaucracy, which I’ll come to at some point, but for now, back to the fun things like hairdressers and restaurants. I managed to find an English-speaking salon - Vacker, based in
YOU may have been too scared to venture outside over the past few months, even for life’s basic necessities. If you’re an expat, you’ve probably been holed up with another expat who may be starting to grate on your nerves a tad, especially if the conversation is limited to the price of Mercadona’s mince or your neighbours’ shocking disregard for social distancing. What better time to throw off the COVID-19 shackles and launch into a conversation in another language, even if it does have to be at two metres distance from behind a surgical mask! It’s never too late to start and Spaniards are generally very forgiving as long as you at least give it a shot. From this moment on, you will no longer raise your voice in English when being misunderstood, but instead will calmly explain,
FAN shopping mall and Rialto Living in Palma. After a consultation with the lovely Helena I booked in and she did an amazing job of transforming my parched, straw-like hair into a voluptuous shiny bronde mane. Hair – tick. The next thing I’d been longing for was a lovely cold glass of pink Prosecco and a Burrata cheese in Cappuccino. Normally I’m all for supporting independents but I love this chain of restaurant and
As lockdown eases it’s time to get out and shoot the breeze, even if it’s only hot air, writes Charlie Smith ‘estoy aprendiendo español’. Conversation-wise, the British have more in common with the Spanish than you might think – weather being a particularly hot topic. And in Spain you shoot the breeze about exactly that. The country has several different types of wind, including ‘poniente’ and ‘levante’. Learn them and start up some stellar viento chat with your neighbours.
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bars. It’s not fine dining, although the price could possibly contest that, and it’s certainly not the cheapest place
A lot of wind
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FRESH TRIM: Terenia’s new Mallorca haircut, courtesy of Helena (right)
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You’re probably already aware of the classic ‘hace calor’, ‘sí mucho’ exchange by now. But with the Charlie Smith spectacular sunshine at the moment, you can mix it up a bit and tell people just how much you are sweating. “Estoy criando pollos,” was the brilliant phrase uttered by my exasperated Andalucian flatmate this week as he stumbled in from the heat. It literally translates as ‘I am raising chickens’ and is used when it’s so hot that your clothes are sticking to you. Of course, weather is just one way into a conversation, as is ‘trabajas o estudias?’ – a fairly lame expression you might hear at the bar. But then again the key is having a go, and you have the opportunity to show up the holidaying Brits set to descend on these shores over the coming weeks.
Summer
After arriving with only ‘hola’ and ‘gracias’ two years ago I can now converse fairly comfortably with the police, the town hall and the bank. These days I am taught by the wonderful Carola at Millinguals in Estepona, although I respect that not everyone can afford lessons. The internet has a wealth of Spanish resources – listen to the Coffee Break Spanish and Duolingo podcasts to get your speaking up to scratch. Now that shops have reopened, get a Spanish children’s book and for a more formal dose of español, read the Spanish papers. There’s often a good classic Spanish film or two on TV at the weekend to pick up some old-school Castellano. TVE’s Españoles en el mundo is also an easy watch, while there is La Casa de Papel for drama, as well as Spain’s equivalents of Masterchef and First Dates for lighter viewing. Get swatting up for summer!
for a plate of nachos. But let me tell you, their Burrata (mozzarella shell, creamy buffalo milk cheese middle) is divine. I know it’s Italian and probably contains my weekly intake of calories but it’s worth it! Whilst on the subject of eating out, I’m so impressed with how Spain has adjusted to life after lockdown. Unlike the UK government which is still flailing about trying to find decent masks for key workers whilst simultaneously confusing the whole nation with the conflicting advice that ‘if people can go to work they should, but stay home and protect the NHS’. Meanwhile Britain’s death rate is still creeping up. But here in wonderful Mallorca, they have automatic hand sanitizer dispensers as you enter public premises, QR codes instead of having to handle germ-ridden menus of old, and we all know to wear masks whenever we’re in public places. God forbid you do forget; some well-meaning member of the public will ‘mask shame’ you in front of everyone. This did actually happen to me when I was in a clothes shop changing room and stuck my head around the curtain to ask the sales assistant for another size, only to be told by some winey-ass woman that everyone is having to wear masks, so why not me? Before I even had a chance to answer, the sales assistant jumped in and said ‘in the changing room it is not necessary to keep masks on.’ So that told you lady! Another new thing I’ve done since getting back is discovering Santa Catalina. I love the market there and had a wonderful Spanish cheese tasting experience whilst purchasing my much coveted Burrata and several Spanish and Mallorcan delights. Next up, we decided to hire a car and spend several days exploring the island which we hadn’t had time to do before lockdown. So, with my new hair we set off in our cute little Fiat 500 with George Michael’s song Freedom blasting out for all to hear. Need more suggestions? Check these out: My Top Ten Post Quarantine Playlist • • • • • • • • • •
Dreams - Fleetwood Mac Freedom Now – Tracy Chapman I Want To Break Free – Queen Break Free - Ariana Grande Born Free - Matt Munro I’m Free - The Rolling Stones Set Me Free - The Kinks Freedom - Beyoncé Free Me - Foo Fighters Free as a Bird – The Beatles @tereniataras
OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 7 Unique, 8 Neaten, 9 Sailing boat, 11 Guard, 12 Prairie, 15 Shindig, 16 Offer, 18 Underground, 21 Mirror, 22 Farmer. Down: 1 And, 2 Squadron, 3 Deals, 4 Ensnare, 5 Daub, 6 Relatives, 10 Authentic, 13 Infantry, 14 Piggery, 17 Comfy, 19 Earl, 20 Leo.
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AIR, pink rosé and Burrata cheese: they were the three things I was most looking forward to after nine weeks of lockdown. Hair because, like most people, I haven’t seen the inside of a salon in four months and after years of colouring it I’ve become newly accounted with its natural root colour, a very non-descript mousy brown! The other thing I couldn’t wait to do was actually
SPORT
Football focus
AS La Liga returns to Spanish TV screens, the President of Spain’s top flight has issued a reminder on football’s economic importance. Javier Tebas was speaking at the Spanish Companies Leading the Future (EELF) Corporate Summit. He said: “La Liga clubs, like any other business, have owners who risk their assets to create not only entertainment but also wealth for Spain and its citizens. “Sport generates 2% of Spanish GDP, of which LaLiga accounts for 1.37%, 185,000 jobs and €4.1 billion in tax revenue.”
Engines ready ANDALUCIA’S premier Superbike event will return to Jerez from July 31 to August 2, organisers have said. The 2020 World Superbike season is a huge annual event for the city, with the second round of racing to be held at the Circuito de Jerez. English Kawasaki rider Alex Lowes is top of the table after the first round, some 12 points clear of fellow Englishman, Scott Redding. After Jerez the series will move onto Portugal’s Algarve.
June 26th - July 9th 2020
15
Cost-a-lotti Everton and former Real Madrid boss Ancelotti latest La Liga star indicted for tax fraud CARLO Ancelotti has been accused of tax fraud in Spain. The Everton manager, 61, is alleged to owe more than €1 million in taxes. This charge revolves around image rights tax that the Italian should have paid during his time as Real Madrid boss in the 2014-15
season. The Madrid Community Prosecutor's office claimed he was ‘intending to avoid his tax duties towards the public treasury with no justification’. In order for a prosecution to go ahead, a judge will have to accept the case before eventually summoning him.
lotta footy THE Champions League will be completed in Lisbon as part of a ‘final eight’ format, UEFA has announced. Europe’s top tier competition was suspended mid-March, with half of the last-16 matches still to be played. Those games are planned for August 7-8, but UEFA has not decided whether the
matches will be played at home grounds or at neutral venues. The quarter-finals will then follow every day from August 12-15 at Benfica’s Estadio da Luz Sporting’s Estadio Jose Alvalade. The semi-finals will take place on August 18 and 19, with the final on August 23, which had been due to be played in Istanbul.
History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.
Ancelotti spent two seasons with the Galacticos, from 2013 to 2015, taking charge of 119 games, with 89 wins across all competitions. He won four trophies with the club, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup. During his time with the Los Blancos, he also won the award for World’s Best Club Coach, by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). Ancelotti could be the latest of several high-profile La Liga stars who have been found guilty of tax fraud. In recent years, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Marcelo, Javier Mascherano and most recently, Diego Costa, have all been found guilty of not declaring taxes in Spain. Ancelotti is yet to respond to the accusations.
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FINAL WORDS
MERCADONA has been forced to bring back its ‘pipas gigantes con sal’, after a Twitter storm over their removal, with many claiming they are a ‘grocery list essential’.
Melon-choly NUTRITIONISTS have warned that eating already-halved melons and watermelons could be unsafe as both fruits have to be refrigerated, otherwise microorganisms can grow.
Lifesaver ALMORADI Guardia Civil agents have saved the life of a Moroccan woman, 56, who was choking to death after her husband rushed her to the police station in a state of panic.
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Vol. 4 Issue 83 www.theolivepress.es June 26th - July 9th 2020
Flour power EXCLUSIVE By Alex Trelinski
UK home bakers emulating their celebrity heroes during lockdown may be to blame for a severe ‘drop’ in British flour supplies to Spanish retailers. The huge demand for flour has seen exports fall, leaving expat cake makers to use Spanish equivalents. BARCELONA’S Liceu opera house reopened with a concert in front of a planted audience. Attendees didn’t need to bother with masks or gloves, or even maintain social distancing. On the other hand applause was muted as the attendees were restricted to 2,292 potted plants.
Expats vying to be lockdown’s star baker put strain on Spanish supermarkets
One former patissier told this paper however that locally-made equivalents are not ‘up to scratch’ for fluffy cakes and other British delicacies. A number of Spain-based stores told the Olive Press they’ve not been able to purchase any UK-produced flour,
Planted audience
while leading retailer Overseas Supermercados said they’ve had to reinforce their stocks. Caroline Bush from the Benissa HQ of Overseas Mercados – who stock Iceland products in 27 stores across Spain and Portugal – told the Olive Press that baking celebs could be to blame. “The UK, and everybody else for that matter, seem to be finding their inner Mary Berry and Jamie Oliver and are baking up a storm!” she said. “Flour is still being delivered here, but is being snapped up as soon as it hits the shelves.” A big issue in Spain for expat home bakers is that some domestically-produced supermarket flour is not of the same quality as British imports, which makes it
difficult to bake high quality cakes and pastries. Ex-pro patissier Stuart Greveson told the Olive Press: “Cheap Spanish flour in supermarkets is fine for bread, but the quality is just not up to scratch if you want to use it to make fluffy cakes for example. You need specialist bakers flour.” “Spanish flour has a much lower extraction rate of particles compared to UK products. That rate is the percentage of flour obtained from wheat, and that’s what makes the big difference in quality. “Also, the whiter the flour, the better it is and also it feels a lot finer, which does not apply to lower-grade Spanish flour. You also get twice as much salt in basic flour made here, along with more fat.”
A BUNGLING restorer has wrecked a 17th century painting not once but twice. The owner of the copy of The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables by the baroque artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo was left regretting his decision to hand over €1,200 to have it spruced up. The private art collector in Valencia would probably have done better to pay a specialist to do the job rather than the furniture restorer he actually chose. Having botched his first attempt to renovate the picture the hapless restorer decided to have another go. This went no better with the ‘finished painting’ looking more like a police photofit image. The incident recalls the infamous ‘monkey Christ’ picture that hit international headlines in 2012. Cecilia Giménez, who was aged 81 at the time, was worried that a flaking and faded painting on her local church’s wall was in danger of being further damaged by a leak. Keen to save it she picked up her brushes to restore the 100-year-old image, only for it to end up looking more like a potato.
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