Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 346 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Vol. 13 Issue 346 www.theolivepress.es June 24th - July 7th 2020

A DANGEROUS paedophile believed to have snatched English tot Maddie McCann visited southern Spain on many occasions. German pervert Christian 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 weeks after Maddie went missing. Michael Tatshl, 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.

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MADDIE SUSPECT’S GRANADA LAIR

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Christian Brueckner’s Spanish hideaway

FAMILIAR SIGHT: Brueckner’s ‘Winnebago’

CRIME

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NEWS IN 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.

June 24th - July 7th 2020

Gold scam arrest

Drugs death probe

A MAN involved in the death of British man Carl Barton at a luxury urbanisation has been released on ‘charges’ According to the Court of Justice in Malaga, it is believed the cause of death was from the ‘ingestion of psychoactive drugs,’ and ‘not as a result of violence’. But the case is still being investigated until the final results of an autopsy are released. The Olive Press spoke to the

30-year-old’s father Dudley, who confirmed his son was from Cambridge. The grieving father paid tribute to his son, who worked as an electrician in both the UK and Spain. “Carl was a lovely lad,” he said, “He had been in Spain for five or sixth months and was trapped by the pandemic.” Carl died on Monday after a fall outside a house in Estepona’s El Paraiso area, where

the British homeowner was subsequently arrested on charges of ‘reckless manslaughter’. Dudley added that Carl, who previously lived in Manchester, ‘worked on and off for neighbours’ including the owners of the property where he died, and where he had fitted CCTV. “Maybe Carl was looking for help from the neighbours,” Dudley said. At 22:40pm neighbours re-

TRAGIC: Carl Barton ported that Carl ‘was injured’, but paramedics and police who arrived on the scene could not save him.

Costa del drugs Expat residents witness beach drugs bust

A WELL known high-end Spanish criminal has been arrested on the Costa del Sol. Juan Manuel Candela Sapieha, also known as ‘El Sapo’ - in English The Toad - is famous throughout Spain for stealing works of art worth €300 million from billionaire Esther Koplowitz, including works by Goya, Gris and Sorolla. He has now been arrested in Marbella for a gold-selling scam that he was allegedly involved with in Kenya that was worth over €1 million. El Sapo was living at the El Embrujo de Banus complex in Marbella using the false identity of a Frenchman called Jean Emmanuel Marlon. The National Court will decide if he will be extradited.

By Charlie Smith

BRITISH expats have been left shocked by a suspected drug drop outside their Costa del Sol homes. Bales of hash and an abandoned jet ski strapped with drugs were left strewn across Estepona’s Playa Arroyo Vaquero. Policia Local officers were spotted ‘jumping out of ve-

SEIZED: Guardia Civil found drugs and jet skis dumped on Estepona beach hicles with guns’ in an apparent search for drug traffickers late at night. The Guardia Civil are un-

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derstood to have seized the drugs that were still on the beach until about 8am the following morning. Pictures taken at Urbanization Arroyo Vaquero appear to show a truck towing away two jet skis. One local Brit told the Olive Press: “We knew something was up last night as the Poli-

Weeded out A TRIO of British ‘marijuana traffickers’ who used a drone and rental cars have been arrested in Marbella. The three English men aged between 26 and 29 who used ‘extreme security measures’ are currently in prison. One man was caged at a Guadalmina property where officers seized 400 cannabis plants, 16.5 kilos of buds and 658 grammes of hash.

cia Local were jumping out at every car leaving the area with guns. “The police definitely knew about it as they jumped out of the street and stopped my boyfriend and his brother at gunpoint just before midnight. “I got the heebie-jeebies about something going down only because of the armed police hiding in the streets and jumping out at cars. “I don’t want drug lords tracking me down, I live right on this street, it’s a bit scary to be honest.” The Brit, who did not want to be named for fear of her own safety added: “The president [of the community] said the traficantes got away but the Guardia Civil got there in time to intercept the drugs. A Guardia Civil spokesperson declined to provide any details to the Olive Press, including if any arrests had been made in relation to the hash drop.

NOTORIOUS: The toad

Butchered own kids A MAN has murdered his wife and two children before killing himself. Police say the man slayed his wife, 46, and his two children, 12 and 17 with a knife before jumping off a fourth-floor balcony. The incident happened in the historic Spanish town of Ubeda in Jaen. The 52-year-old father had no previous record for gender-based violence. Police say the mother and younger child were dead at the scene, while the older boy died a few hours later in hospital.

Rail rage 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.”

NEWS

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Chance in hell

MARKED MAN: Christie

Fake news INFAMOUS art thief and forger, Erik ‘el Belga’, who stole over 6,000 pieces, has died in Malaga at the age of 81. René Alphonse Ghislain Vanden Berghen passed away on June 19 from a heart attack at the Clinical Hospital of Malaga. After escaping Belgium’s Verviers Prison in 1976 and being arrested several times, the Austrian-born crook settled in the El Palo area of Malaga. He struck a deal with the Spanish authorities in 1982, to be released in exchange for helping recover artwork he had stolen. His signature move was to lift artworks from monasteries, churches, and museums, replacing them with forgeries, some of which to this day still hang in museums, unrecognised as fakes.

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-

We have a winner!

THE wedding plans of 68-year-old Anne Pearson-Love may have been ruined by the coronavirus pandemic, but the Olive Press and Kempinski Hotel Bahia have teamed up to put them back on track. Anne’s name was first out of the hat for our five-star luxury prize in a special coronavirus draw – and she couldn’t be more pleased. “We were due to get married in Sweden this month but had to put off our plans because of lockdown.” Now they are having to rethink their wedding options, but will use the prize of a three-course meal for two at the Kempinski Hotel Bahia’s Spiler Beach and a one-night stay in a

PLANS: Anne and fiancee Anders Grand Mediterranean Room for part of their honeymoon. The Kempinski Hotel Bahia has recently reopened with its new White Glove Service designed to keep guests safe from coronavirus.

For more details and reservations - Call +34 95 280 9500 Email reservations.estepona@kempinski.com

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 24th - July 7th 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.

NEWS

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Uncle of Syrian president wanted in Spain FERTILE: Iberian lynxes

The lynx effect

ANDALUCIA has seen the birth of nine more Iberian lynx cubs in the Breeding Centre of La Olivilla. Females ‘Cynara’, ‘Jandra’, ‘Caña’ and ‘Cordoba’ have given birth to two cubs each, while the female ‘Coscoja’ gave birth to a single kitten. All the cubs are now being weaned and are receiving vaccination and training for release into the wild, which will begin in July. Last May, the new project Life Lynx Connect, for the protection of the Iberian Lynx successfully passed the European Commission’s evaluation. The project has 21 beneficiary partners, under the coordination of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of the Junta de Andalucia. With an investment of over €18 million, expected to begin this year and last five years, the project aims to achieve a self-sustaining and genetically viable population of this species, as well as connecting the existing nuclei in Spain and Portugal.

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 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

SINGLE IMPLANT

June 24th - July 7th 2020

Butcher of Hama jailed DEADLY: Rifaat al-Assad is uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (right)

property empire worth €695 million, including luxury real estate in Mar-

bella and along the Costa del Sol. The entire portfolio was seized by Spanish

Lockdown again 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.

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.

IMPLANT BRIDGE

investigators in 2017. Spain’s High Court wants to try al-Asaad for money laundering, with him being accused of siphoning off Syrian government funds. Judge José de la Mata wants al-Assad and 14 others including eight of his children and two of his wives to stand trial. Al-Assad left Syria in 1984. He allegedly struck a deal with the president of the country, his brother Hafez al-Assad, to exit with around €270 million of government funds after he led a failed coup.

Worse than Trump A FORMER Marbella councillor has won a slander case that could shake up the world of social media by making websites responsible for online trolls. The Supreme Court ruled against website Meneame and ordered it to pay him €1,200 compensation. The website had been taken to court after it failed to delete a comment on one of its posts which called the politician a ‘son of a bitch’. In 2017 a Marbella court ruled in favour of the website stating that the comment was not used as a personal, but was referring to politicians in general. On appeal, the Andalucian Court reversed the ruling saying that the comments violated his ‘right to honour,’ a decision now backed by the Supreme Court. It decided that Meneame’s role as ‘service provider’ meant that it was obliged to remove the insults from its public page, even if its staff had not written them. Meneame’s lawyer, Sánchez Almeida said: “This can affect the internet as a medium, we are talking about a social network like Twitter or Facebook and this could set an even worse precedent than the one Donald Trump was proposing.” Website bosses will now appeal to the Constitutional Court.

IMPLANT DENTURE

NEWS

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FUNDING: For lifeguards

Safety first ANDALUCIA’S regional government is spending €34.5 million to have the 'safest beaches in Spain' this summer. Of this €24 million has been designated to hire 3,000 beach surveillance officers out of the 84,000 people who applied for the position. The rest is being spent on infrastructure and equipment including 75 pickup vehicles, 21 buggies, 81 quads, 65 surveillance towers, 13 boats, 14 jet skis, 15,242 gangways and hundreds of pieces of rescue equipment such as life rings.

Summer starting SOME 100 daily flights are to land at Malaga Airport in July, recovering 75% of last summer’s routes, it has been announced. A total of 15,887 flights landed and took off last July, averaging 512 a day. The first week of July this year will kick-start the tourist season on the Costa del Sol. Most airlines reopening their routes will do so at the start of the month, coinciding with the re-opening of many Costa del Sol hotels. Airlines have continued to incorporate or cancel flights every day due to a lack of demand and availability of staff. AENA, Spain’s public airport management company, normally signs off its official summer season programme by the end of June. In July 2019 last year, 2.2 million passengers flew into Malaga Airport, a figure that is expected to dwindle to just 435,000 this year. The estimated 100 daily flights are one fifth of the number of flights from last summer.

BARS and restaurants in Andalucia have been told that they may open their terraces at 100% capacity and interiors at 75%. Under this latest easing of COVID-19 lockdown - which came into force on Monday - hotels will also be allowed to open communal areas with 50% of their usual occupancy. A 1.5 metre distance will need to be maintained between tables, while the maximum group size will be limited to 25. Cinemas and theatres can open at 65% capacity, while outdoor gigs may have crowds of up to 1,500 people, as long as revellers practice social distancing. Meanwhile a maximum of 60 people are allowed at outdoor funeral services, 30 indoor and 75 at wakes.

Brit pensioners ‘couldn’t live apart’ By James Warren

POLICE are investigating the deaths of two elderly British expats after their bodies were found within hours of each other in their Nerja home. The alarm was raised after the couple's children in the UK had failed to make contact with them for several days. Fearing the worst, they contacted the local resident group of the San Juan de Capistrano de Nerja urbanisation to ask them to check in on the pair, who were both suffering from cancer. Upon entering the prop-

June 24th - July 7th 2020

Swiss scuppered

State of play… The latest announcements were made in the Andalucian Parliament's plenary session by the President of the Junta Juanma Moreno. Speaking on the hotel limits the PP leader said: “I know that in other communities 75% will be authorised, but here we want to be cautious.” He added: “On Sunday we began the challenge of gradually recovering habits that covid has forced us all to change. “We have been an example for all of Spain.” The PSOE Andalucian Leader of the Opposition, Susana Diaz, was critical of

LOVING LIFE: Expats on terrace Moreno’s plans for schools opening in September. She also told the Junta boss: “You have sole command, and the health of Andalusians is in your hands.”

Double death tragedy

erty, members from the group found the lifeless body of a 90-year-old man. 112 Emergency services were called before investigators confirmed they found no visible signs of

violence, with all signs pointing to death by natural causes. Several hours later, the man's 84-year-old wife, who had been receiving support from the medical teams during the care for

Tonnes of help ESTEPONA Town Hall has distributed more than 150 tonnes of food to vulnerable families during the state of alarm. It has spent more than €83,000 to buy supplies that have been distributed among 2,000 people. The council will continue to provide assistance to families in vulnerable situations, despite the state of alarm finally ending at the start of this week.

KIND-HEARTED: Estepona residents give supplies At the moment, 100 families ‘have stopped requesting food aid after they returned to work during the de-escalation phases.

In addition, the council maintains its collaboration with the soup kitchen, which continues to serve food daily.

her deceased husband, was reported to have passed away too in the family home. On returning to the scene, police found missing tablets, pointing to an apparent suicide. An autopsy has indicated the woman had taken morphine tablets, although toxicology tests are being done to confirm if this was the cause of death. Granddaughter of the couple, Bekki Forrest told the Olive Press she believes that their deaths were a sign of their lifelong devotion to each other. "They took their own lives together as neither of them wanted to live apart." "Their love was so strong, and so was their courage." Neighbours spoke fondly of the couple, who had called the Axarquian town of Nerja their home for 20 years.

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.

New for old THE Spanish government will give up to €4,000 to people buying low emission cars. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez 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). Buyers will receive between €400 and €4,000 from the government to buy a new car that meets certain requirements, with this subsidy also being matched by manufacturers and dealerships. In order to be eligible for aid a buyer will also have to scrap a car that is at least 10 years old. Cars that are scrapped and are over two decades old will bring in even more cash for their owners.

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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2012 - 2020

Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.

June 24th - July 7th 2020

Finca fiend

‘I know he snatched Maddie,’ says former traveller friend, who spent months with him in the Algarve and southern Spain

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

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.

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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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June 24th - July 7th 2020

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June 24th - July 7th 2020

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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. 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.

rt treat

GALLERY Art Club Fuengirola is holding its next exhibition on June 26, from 5pm to 7pm, with the free event showcasing the work of several local artists.

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

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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’Ro-

Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan

a supermom, however, inwardly she has been struggling since her youngest was born. 10-monthold Betsey’s incessant crying and screaming has left Jess sleep deprived, depressed and close to breaking point. Liz, a paediatric doctor, is called to A&E when baby Bestey is admitted with a suspicious head injury. Jess and Liz have been friends for over 10 years, but when Jess’s story about how the baby hurt her head is vague and doesn’t match with the injuries, social services have to be called, opening a Pandora’s box of secrets and repressed memories from all involved. A gripping, tense and compelling story exploring the darker thoughts motherhood can provoke and how one mistake can have disastrous repercussions. €19.90 The Bookshop San Pedro, www.thebookshop.es

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ADANA Dog shelter has restarted its fund-raising coffee mornings at Luna Nueva, Paseo de Sabinillas on the first Friday of every month from 11am to 1:30pm.

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SCENE: Streedagh Strand where Armada ships sank

urke 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 an account of his ad-

ventures, 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

EVERY Friday the Malaga Tandem Club will hold a Spanish-English intercambio at the city’s Bakkano Bar, with activities, games, tapas and drinks for just a €2 registration fee.

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LA CULTURA

Disputed archive throws fascinating insight on the man behind Spain’s plans to invade England

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 24th - July 7th 2020

Spain’s reluctant armada admira

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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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.

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Check out our issues online at www.theolivepress.es Mallorca Issue 82 OLIVE PRESS

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Vol. 4 Issue 82 www.theolivepress.es June 12th - June 25th 2020

SEEN THEM:Van or paedophile Christian Brueckner, believed to have taken Maddie?

EXCLUSIVE: Did Maddie kidnapper in his distinctive van bring her Valencia restaurant? to this Closing in, Page

MOCKERY swore to police they saw three-year-old

Maddie get out of a VW van

and go into the Tunnels Restaurant

EXCLUSIVE By Dilip Kuner

in Alcossebre in May 2007

Pic by Joshua Parfitt

INTRIGUING: Various witnesses

Demands from victims as convicted holiday rentals conman avoids prison AND paying back stolen fees

A BRITISH couple conned out of €2,800 through a fake holiday website have turned detective and had a Spanish fraudster convicted. However, the angry holidaymakers are now demanding action after conman with Valencia links failedthe to return their money, despite a court order. The couple, Lucia and Peter Myers, both 54, from London, are furious that Alvaro Lopez Uribe only paid SCAMMED: Brit Lucia Myers had Uribe (right) convicted over luxury one installment out of an agreed villa rental (above) but now 11, conman is ‘bankrupt’ and free after being found guilty of the elabosuspended the term on condition he “I thought that the lockdown rate scam. re-paid the couple. might warned.“It turned out A Spanish court sentenced Uribe these to But Uribe has now declared himself have been why we have had no pay- mers had simply stolen the scam- bank account in Valencia that was six months jail for ruining their holipictures also used by the same insolvent and the court has there- ment for months, but then I got an from the internet scammers. and set up a fake “The authorities day in Mallorca last year and then fore declared email informing us that the matter in Spain don’t seem the case over. was now ended,” IT specialist Lucia site,” Lucia explained. to take this very seriously,” money to be returned was refused told the Olive Press this week. as tinued. “But to my mind thisshe conis a big She and husband Peter, who there were no funds in the account. crime. How much money has been runs a computer business, Lucia managed to find two other stolen from innocent people?” had handed over the cash via couples who had fallen for the same While Uribe claimed he was not a bank transfer to pay for a scam. One of them turned up in guilty and other shadier figures one-week stay at an upmar- Mallorca with their two children to behind the scam, she believeswere find they had nowhere to stay. he ket villa near Palma, in 2017. should pay for the crime for which But just the day before they he is convicted. were due to fly out, they were Dossier “This puts us off visiting Spain. UK BASED We told the villa was no longer Determined that no-one else should have gone to Corfu instead for the available. past few years. Scams like fall victim to the The couple, who were travel- to have it closed site, she managed not good for Spain – the this are down authoriafter making ling with their two children, ties should realise this and make it Julia, 15 and Alicia, nine at an official complaint. harder for conmen to work online the time, were forced to book She also went to the Guardia Civil, and easier for people to get their which eventually took on the case, money for Spanish another villa. with Lucia twice flying out as a wit- A homeback.” Incredibly, on an internet address given to the court residents search for a last minute ness to Granada. by Uribe in Granada appeared emprental they were offered the “The court paid the expenses, but ty this week. www.globelink.co.uk actual villa by the real owners I think the defendant’s lawyer was Neighbours told the Olive and told that they had been surprised to see me. If I hadn’t had not seen him for ‘somePress they the victims of a classic scam turned up, that would have been the An official address for his time’. ‘holiday that has caught hundreds out end of the case,” she said. lettings business’ turned out to 96 626 5000 be over the last few years, as the During the two year investigation empty with local businesses +44 (0) 1353 699082 saying Olive Press has frequently she compiled a huge dossier they had never heard of him. of formation – including details ofina Opinion Page 6

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THOU SHALT NOT PASS Mixed messages over frontier opening as lockdown eases

Five festivals still on this summer Page 10

By John Culatto Ministry of the Interior, said that access to Spain from Gibraltar had ly press briefing, the Deputy Chief only been limited by the lockdown. of the news, “None of our restrictive frontier Minister was unaware the having been told the day before measures at other borders during to frontier opening would have to wait the State of Emergency applied until July 1. the border between Gibraltar and the All of Andalucia entered Phase 3 of Spain,” Campos De Diego told the release from COVID-19 lockOlive Press. allowing greater “Therefore, there is no new measure down on June 8, freedom of movement. in this respect. have houses “What is occurring is that people Many Gibraltarians and family in the surrounding area now have more freedom of movement as the so they are waiting for the go-ahead province of Ca- to enter Spain. diz enters phase However, it seems the frontier could three. now open at any time between June “This also af- 21 or July 1. fects the transit of Gibraltarians Confusion into the Cadiz Despite the official confirmation province.” the ground At the June 8 there were reports from pedestrians UK BASED morning week- on June 8 that Gibraltar not being and cars were allowed into Spain. On June 9, the Policia NaTHE SKY cional said that nothing DOCTOR had changed and GibralALL AREAS COVERED tarians could only go over to Spain for work or if they

Andalucia’s best Page 12 ventas

GIBRALTARIANS will have to wait the a little longer to enter Spain for first time in nearly three months. It comes after the Spanish Ministry of the Interior and the Policia Nacional in La Linea said the frontier would open to locals on June 8. The rumours first started circling after a news report in the Spanish newspaper El Pais and the news was confirmed by Spanish officials. Daniel Campos De Diego, Director of Communications of the Spanish

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lived there officially. it, “The position, as we understandthe is as stated by the Ministry of to Interior to the press and directly us,” the Gibraltar Government told the Olive Press. “We are seeking further clarification as to when the change will be implemented.” isFrontier fluidity was one of the sues discussed by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo in post-Brexit talks with Spanish officials this week. Picardo said the talks held in Malaga ‘took place in a cordial and constructive atmosphere’ with ‘very positive engagement’ to iron out previous problems. “All key issues were discussed and there are clearly areas where some significant progress can be made,” said the Chief Minister. “These include the issues of mobilof ity, which has long been a point unnecessary friction for citizens.”the The talks will continue before end of the month ‘to resolve matters which have long dogged our relationship’, added Picardo. Opinion Page 6

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June 11th - Jun 24th 2020

SEEN THEM:Van or paedophile Christian Brueckner, believed to have taken Maddie?

EXCLUSIVE: Did Maddie kidnapper in his distinctive van bring her Valencia restaurant? to this

MOCKERY swore to police they saw three-year-old

EXCLUSIVE By Dilip Kuner

Maddie get out of a VW van

and go into the Tunnels Restaurant

in Alcossebre in May 2007

Demands from victims as convicted holiday rentals conman avoids prison AND paying back stolen fees

A BRITISH couple conned out of €2,800 through a fake holiday website have turned detective and had a Spanish fraudster convicted. However, the angry holidaymakers are now demanding action after conman with Valencia links failedthe to return their money, despite a court order. The couple, Lucia and Peter Myers, both 54, from London, are furious that Alvaro Lopez Uribe only paid SCAMMED: Brit Lucia Myers had Uribe (right) convicted over luxury one installment out of an agreed villa rental (above) but now 11, conman is ‘bankrupt’ and free after being found guilty of the elabsuspended the term on condition he “I thought that the lockdown orate scam. re-paid the couple. might warned.“It turned out A Spanish court sentenced Uribe these to But Uribe has now declared himself have been why we have had no pay- mers had simply stolen the scam- bank account in Valencia that was six months jail for ruining their holpictures also used by the same insolvent and the court has there- ment for months, but then I got an from the internet scammers. and set up a fake “The authorities iday in Mallorca last year and then fore declared email informing us that the matter in Spain don’t seem the case over. was now ended,” IT specialist Lucia site,” Lucia explained. to take this very seriously,” money to be returned was refused told the Olive Press this week. as tinued. “But to my mind thisshe conis a big She and husband Peter, who there were no funds in the account. crime. How much money has been runs a computer business, Lucia managed to find two other stolen from innocent people?” had handed over the cash via couples who had fallen for the same While Uribe claimed he was not a bank transfer to pay for a scam. One of them turned up in guilty and other shadier figures one-week stay at an upmar- Mallorca with their two children to behind the scam, she believeswere find they had nowhere to stay. he ket villa near Palma, in 2017. should pay for the crime for which But just the day before they he is convicted. were due to fly out, they were Dossier “This puts us off visiting Spain. We told the villa was no longer Determined that no-one else should have gone to Corfu instead for the available. past few years. Scams like this fall victim to the are The couple, who were travel- to have it closed site, she managed not good for Spain – the authorities down after making ling with their two children, should realise this and make it hardJulia, 15 and Alicia, nine at an official complaint. er for conmen to work online and the time, were forced to book She also went to the Guardia Civil, easier for people to get their money which eventually took on the case, back.” another villa. Incredibly, on an internet with Lucia twice flying out as a wit- A home address given to the court search for a last minute rent- ness to Granada. by Uribe in Granada appeared empal they were offered the ac- “The court paid the expenses, but ty this week. I think the defendant’s lawyer was Neighbours SALES & RENTALS SPECIALISTS tual villa by the real owners told the Olive and told that they had been surprised to see me. If I hadn’t had not seen him for ‘somePress they time’. Moriara•Calpe•Jalon•Javea•Denia•Altea turned up, that would have been the An official the victims of a classic scam address for his ‘holiday that has caught hundreds out end of the case,” she said. lettings business’ turned out to be over the last few years, as the During the two year investigation empty with local businesses saying www.moraira-hamiltons.net Olive Press has frequently she compiled a huge dossier they had never heard of him. of formation – including details ofina Opinion Page 6

96 649 1883

Pic by Joshua Parfitt

Closing in, Page 2

INTRIGUING: Various witnesses

Jon Clarke should be applauded for breakLEAVERS: story of the abduction, keeping the ing this Trio of Brits in Spain attention, and continuing to keep world’s it alive (EXPOSED: The paedo’s lair, Issue 345, pg 2). All that, despite vicious criticism from (some) readers who placed their angry of the analysis of classlly, adolescent notions as a political the EU, essentia Rose Moore sees compas human of ahead family McCann The 7). pg 325, Issue dictatorship (Leave and proud, empath sovereign states, are 28 y. There opposite.and is themorality realitysion, authore of Portugu theUK,respons Andthe to become ly choseese which voluntari including late etent, incomp d: would expecte UK as the was that ities believes Dunne Steve associated. terms. Not so. I’m not going to and accusat on WTO ory. fair better and chapterworkquoting in Lisbon, living letters wasby e Ipage becaus weighI down knowyour the into looks Steve that nd popular the I recomme butwith reading verse,ing s, attorney That he knows. of any specifics nts.Trump argume in cafe joiningthat andindustry press UK should an EU-free trade deal get astubbor is trying g tips d, followin persiste nlywith ButtoJon you want to. know: Trump’s trade deals tell you all all sources from Brent Mahler speaks for , have US-first labels. Finally, McCann Madele on of file The Olive force armed an EUine wary citizens of UKPress a number and nts comme many many, the g ideas includin are these , and an ever closer union. However through I am fascinat is apeople EU policy. notjourney articles anding by specific floated and OP readers years of pro40-plus that era’s of insidious minds at the worried morethe the EEC/EU by the Mail, Telegraph, against ntators. paganda comme

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Plucky reporting

Express, Times and, of course, The Sun. What did Murdoch say when he was asked why he was so anti-EU? Something along the lines of: “When I go into wn, The Bro the sEU.” Cha No. 10 they do what I say: when I go to ent! s Asturia implication is that he had to ask for an appointm

June 24th - July 7th 2020

The summer split Olive Press readers divided on tourism as British holidaymakers are allowed back into Spain (Online, June 15)

Have some perspective The country needs tourism. Everyone is worried about the virus. There is just as much chance of people from Spain bringing it to the UK. So, people saying ‘don’t come’ is ridiculous. Cafes and shops can’t survive without tourism. Gillian Robertson, Edinburgh

Keep ‘em out I’m British and I think this is the wrong move! Unless the correct checks are carried out as they leave Britain! We can’t afford to have a second bout of coronavirus in Spain. But I do appreciate that money is needed here. Paul Kelly, Benahavis

Restaurant relief Spain needs the tourists, especially the coast. It’s died a death and restaurants are empty. People are laid off but there are still high rents to pay. Maureen Pearson, Granada

Don’t want your germs It’s good that they can still afford to go abroad! A lot of people in Spain have nothing, please don’t bring more of the virus, we don’t want it. Karen Masters-Brotherton, La Herradura

Brilliant news While it’s brilliant news for Spain, we still need the green light from our Government. Linda Radmore, Gibraltar

Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@ theolivepress.es or message us on at www.facebook.com/OlivePressNewspaper or Twitter @olivepress

Tougher action The best way to resolve sewage on the beach is massive EU fines to the Spanish Government, and the imprisonment of the officials responsible (Sewage shame, Issue 345, pg 5). Then they will act to stop this.

Steve Dunwell, Malaga

Rude awakening I was fined on March 25 for being too far from my apartment which is in the countryside Selwo area and where nobody was in the neighbourhood (Not fine, Issue 344, pg 1). The police were very rude and didn’t give me time to say anything. I signed the paper which was going to be sent to the Government in Malaga. Last week I received the fine by registered mail.It is €300.50 if I pay within two weeks, otherwise it will be €601. I don’t have a lawyer and I need some advice. I love your newspaper.

Sylvia Olofsen, Estepona

No laughing matter See, it’s funny so long as people realise it’s a joke (Bar in Spain slammed over ‘sexist’ sign that said ‘do not touch the waitress’s tits without first disinfecting your hands’, Online, June 12). But there are some idiots that will then think it’s funny’ to actually do it. Having done a lot of bar work over the years when I was younger and been groped, it’s not actually that funny.

Gemma Dix, Marbella

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All solutions are on page 22

BUSINESS

ERTE extension

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.

Competitive edge 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. Singapore tops the list for the second consecutive year, thanks to its solid economy, international trade and labour market.

June 24th - July 7th 2020

THE Spanish Government has announced a €150 billion investment package as part of the coronavirus recovery effort. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government has earmarked the huge sum for public investment in 2021 and 2022. Spain will have to send the plans to the European Commission in order to access the €750 billion coronavirus recovery fund that is currently being negotiated. Some €74 billion of this funding will be in the form of investment grants and will not have to be paid back.

Pedro’s purse strings This allows the government to set aside the €150 billion for public spending within the next two years. An official document reads: “An investment and reform plan that centres on a group of large-scale projects with great capacity to transform and modernise our economy and society must be put into place as soon as possible.” Some ministers told El Pais, that while the document is a good start it lacks de-

tail and a more ambitious vision for the economic transformation of the country. According to the document, the estimated €150 billion which is approximately 6% of the country’s GDP, is needed to ensure Spain is on the ‘same level of public spending’ as the most advanced countries within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Intu the red

British mall giant behind ‘global resort’ on Costa del Sol in financial difficulty in UK

Insolvency

Its new Torremolinos site, planned north of the Palacio de Congresos, will provide, ‘a new kind of retail resort’, with sports facilities, two hotels, an aquarium, and over 70 restaurant locations. Intu is currently tackling a €5 billion debt mountain, and an insolvency process is expected soon because of closed down sites refusing to pay rent during lockdown. The Torremolinos resort, ex-

By Scarlet Jenkins

‘DEBT MOUNTAIN’: For Intu, which is going ahead with huge Torremolinos site pected to open in 2023, got local approval from the General Urban Planning department back in October 2019, and was expected to start construction this year. Intu has already had to sell shares in other projects in Spain to fund the resort, offloading 50% of its shares at its locations in Zaragoza and Asturias, forcing the company to look for partners to fund the upcoming Torremolinos location. Intu Costa del Sol, expected to cost €850 million, is promising to bring together ‘international brands and global visitors,’ according to its chief executive Matthew Roberts, including stores such as El Corte Ingles, Zara, and Primark.

Charlotte’s made up

PAYDAY: As Tilbury offloads her makeup brand

Hey big lender 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.

Lifeline

By Scarlet Jenkins

BRITISH company Intu, which is set to open a resort ‘like no other’ in Torremolinos, has been described as ‘critical’ as it faces a €5 billion debt mountain. The shopping centre giant is currently at a ‘critical phase’ in discussions with its lenders. Intu owns 17 shopping malls in the UK, including the Trafford Centre and Lakeside, with an average of 35 million customers a year according to its website.

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.

Amazingly, they can actually charge an interest of below zero, which means the ECB is paying the banks for lending them the money. The aim is to provide the cash for lenders to give companies and households a credit lifeline during the coronavirus crisis. The CaixaBank group borrowed €40.7 billion, Bankia €9.2 billion, Banco de Sabadell €27 billion and BBVA has asked for €21 billion. Banco Santander did not disclose how much it borrowed.

AGONYProperty ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Keyboard warriors Lawbird’s Antonio Flores explains how to battle the scourge of online trolls

T is hard to accept that the internet, from which we derive so much benefit, should be so densely populated by individuals (‘trolls’) who deliberately pursue the causation of grief, harm and damage to people they do not know. racism and xenophobia, bias against reliEvery legal system deals differently with on- gions or beliefs, sexual orientation or gender line haters. Those perceived as full or pseu- identity or people with disabilities. do dictatorships will repress political dissent One painful example can be found in Camiwhereas modern democracies will give prev- lo de Ory, who was acquitted of hate crime alence to freedom of speech and expression by the Madrid Appeal Court despite posting over censure. numerous sick and degrading comments – The latter group of countries also differs over black humour according to his code of ethics when the state will intervene, as opposed to – mocking the death of Julen Rosello, who giving those aggrieved the lefell to his death in a well in Togal initiative to press charges talan, Malaga. in court. Still, it is possible to file a priIt is possible Spain is probably one of the vate claim for libel and defamamost flexible with trolls. The to file a private tion, and custodial sentences Policia Nacional’s mode of be handed down if a defenclaim for libel can action with trolls is a) ignore, dant is found guilty of ‘calumb) block and c) report if it is a and defamation ny’, falsely accusing someone crime. They have missed d), of committing an act defined for trolling which should be file a suit for as a crime, with the knowledge defamation or libel. that it was untrue or with reckBut when is it a crime? Unlike less disregard for the truth, in other countries such as the UK, where trolls particular through the media. can be given custodial sentences for sending The sentencing typically comes with a monemalicious communications, Spain only con- tary award for damages. siders a post or comment publicly criminal if Outside the above hate crime or calumny, it involved threats, extorsion or specifically fall those offended can file civil suits where they within the ‘hate crime’ category, which neces- can seek compensation as well as the removsarily needs to involve one of the following: al of the comments and public rectification.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

PROPERTY Weathering the storm June 24th - July 7th 2020

Small dip in enquiries shows Marbella staved off worst of covid crisis

MARBELLA’S property market is set to weather the coronavirus storm without sinking to the depths seen in the 2006 financial crisis. This is the conclusion of a new report written by Christopher Clover, CEO of the city’s longest established real estate agency, Panorama Properties,

By Dilip Kuner

which has been established for 50 years. It reveals that enquiries from prospective clients

dipped by just 2% in May compared to the same month last year. The report, ‘Purchase and sale of properties during the coronavirus crisis: a market perspective’, forecasts a fall in

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’.

Optimistic

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.

MORTGAGE THINK TANK PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

sales of between 25% and 30% as the luxury property sector relies on foreigners for about 80% of its sales. But it also predicts a relatively modest drop in final prices of between 5% to 10% in the Marbella urban area. Clover expects prices to hold up better in the most sought-after locations, especially as the real estate market was nowhere near overheating prior to lockdown, and many more sellers can afford to wait, with far fewer distressed sellers compared to the financial crash. He indicates that the foreign market of property purchasers in Spain as a whole will come back little by little in the next few months, with stronger recovery in 2021. Clover underlined that, unlike what happened in 2008, the market has not remained completely stationary, there have been numerous sales and inquiries and for the first time in Marbella’s real estate history, sales made with virtual video tours. He said that he is optimistic about the rest of the year and 2021, as international tourism gradually returns, adding: “There is absolute confidence that we will once again have a healthy real estate market in the medium term.”

by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola

Brits are back

As the covid crisis recedes and tourists arrive, the spectre of Brexit has returned for British buyers

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PAIN has finally allowed tourism to return after several months of the world’s most draconian COVID-19 lockdown. Brits, Germans and other key tourist markets are back after what seems like an eternity. Yet as coronavirus begins to recede and the full extent of the crisis is laid bare, another political headache is once again rearing its ugly head. Yes, Brexit. The implications of the UK’s departure from the EU are numerous, none more so than for British buyers on the hunt for property in sunny Spain. Politicians are still thrashing out Britain’s exit deal, while the Brexit transition period is set to end on December 31. Despite the tumultuous year we’ve had, the ticking Brexit clock has left many Brits thinking that now could actually be the perfect time to up sticks. So, for those lucky enough to be able to afford to snap up a new home, there has been lots to contend with. At the Finance Bureau we have already seen an uptick in enquiries from British buyers, including those based overseas dreaming perhaps, about life outside of lockdown.

Meanwhile for those with existing mortgages, the coronavirus pandemic and the cessation of much economic activity has made it challenging for many to keep up with their repayments and, for this reason, some of the larger lenders have been offering limited interest-only periods for first residences. In most cases this may last for three months. As Spain entered lockdown the Government announced a three-month mortgage moratorium to help homeowners, but these have only been available to residents so, have not helped those with holiday homes. One trend to have emerged from the crisis is the increased number of people enquiring about mortgage subrogation. This is the term given to swapping one mortgage lender for another, which is very common in other countries but less so in Spain because Spanish banks have traditionally been reluctant to take on another bank’s loan. This, however, has recently become an option, with one lender, at least, now willing to do this. Any improved conditions are particularly welcome where clients might otherwise have got into financial difficulties, due to these extra challenges being faced by many in Spain and the UK.

This is definitely an option many should consider and the Finance Bureau has a wealth of experience in helping secure the best mortgage rates from Spanish banks. But for those considering buying a new home in Spain, there are a number of ways you can make your purchase ‘watertight’, especially with the looming cloud of Brexit: - Exchange rate: You will typically need 30% of the price of a property in order to complete, plus any additional fees. This means keeping an eye on the Pound-Euro exchange is essential, especially during the Brexit negotiations - Check the news: Although Spain has been declared open for business, the coronavirus situation could still change. Look out for any travel restrictions in Spain and the UK that may prevent you from viewing your new home - Get advice: Make sure you have an experienced mortgage broker like the Finance Bureau on your side to help steer you through what can be a minefield

To contact Tancrede for all your mortgaging needs call: 666 709 743 or for insurance queries call: 951 203 540 Email: tdp@thefinanacebureau.com The Finance Bureau Centro Commercial Guadalmina, 2nd Office No. 7 Guadalmina, 29670

HEALTH

Lisa Burgess

Tummy or not to be Lisa Burgess goes under the knife for reconstructive breast surgery after battling the Big C

WAS apprehensive attending La Cala medical clinic for vital blood tests and arrived in full PPE, imagining I would be entering a scene from Contagion. I need not have worried, everything was smooth and orderly. The tests came back with no trace of the ‘Big C’ but I do need injections for my lazy bone marrow and weak immune system. I am used to being a human pin cushion but this large needle MATES: Lisa and her late friend Alli (left) the pharmacist produced was better suited for skewering chicken. Joffrey expertly jabbed me around La Cala beach like Pamela Anderson. in the stomach as I held back the tears. I have needed much patience and a bulldog Talking about tummies, after the stabbing by attitude since being diagnosed nearly two consent, I proceeded to Materno Hospital in years ago. This was sorely compounded by Malaga to meet the Chief of Surgery. I still need the profoundly sad loss of my best friend and a mammogram and ultrasound former Irish top model, Alli Macthis month at Costa del Sol MarDonnell, last year. bella Hospital before I get the Alli, aged 37, was a devoted I will be all-clear. mother of four and I met her My oncologist told me they bouncing around through my television work in would take fat from my stomach Ireland decades ago. We shared and put it into my right boob. I many great escapades on the La Cala beach was looking forward to a washDublin scene, some of which like Pamela board stomach but Chief said would make your toes curl. I the fat would be taken from my miss her every single day. Anderson upper back explaining it was Since cancer invaded my life ‘better fat’. It’s a shorter operathere have been a few mad yet tion with fewer complications. I fleeting moments when I wanted just have to decide whether I want a vertical or to throw in the towel, not unlike Shakespeare’s horizontal scar. Prince Hamlet who considered suicide to esI will have this first reconstructive operation in cape his troubles. He uttered those immortal November on my right boob and if all goes well words: “To be or not to be: that is the question.” then I will have four more operations including For me, that is OUT of the question as I look lifting and shaping the left one in April 2021. ahead to a possible cancer-free future and No bras for me next summer, I will be bouncing frankly, one hell of a party.

June 24th - July 7th 2020

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

Drug already on market can save lives of COVID-19 patients 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 OPEN:

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL The diners are dying

June 24th - July 7th 2020

Fond memories

WHEN it comes to restaurants, bars and cafes, absence does make the heart grow fonder. A survey by AECOC Shopperview shows that 23% of those polled have improved their opinion of the hospitality sector while they have been cooped up at home during the coronavirus lockdown. The rest have kept the same - generally positive - opinion as before.

Takeaways

But the bad news is that this figure is not translating into bums on seats, with just 28% of people making a return to their favourite establishments in the first few weeks of the de-escalation period. Some 42.9% of people said they will spend less on eating out in the coming months, with just 18.4% planning on making up for lost time by increasing their spending. This downturn will be partly made up for by more spending on takeaways, with 8.6% saying they now order food at home on a regular basis and not just for special occasions, as was the case before the confinement.

Almost a third of restaurants to permanently close as hospitality sector emerges battered from crisis

SPAIN’S government has been warned that up to 30% of catering businesses could be forced to permanently shut their doors due to the corona-

virus crisis, costing 400,000 jobs. The grim forecast is from the trade body Hosteleria de España.

Its president Jose Luis Yzuel revealed the stark figures to the Commission of Industry, Trade and Tourism. He based the numbers on sev-

Comp and ceremony

A STUNNING expat-owned hotel has clinched the European ‘Travel & Hospitality Award 2020’ for being ‘Andalucia’s best guesthouse’. Almijara Residence in the whitewashed pueblo of Competa, Malaga, is run by South African

Maurice Jonker and Zimbabwean Paul Tilly. “We are very proud of this immense accolade,” said Jonker, whose hotel boasts unparalleled views over the 500-year-old village known as the ‘Pearl of the Axarquia’.

eral reports from consulting firms EY&Bain and Foqus and the University of Valencia. Of the 1.7 million people employed in the hospitality sector before the crisis, only 1.4 million are still registered in the social security system. Of those, 63% were covered by the ERTE furlough scheme in May, according to the National office of Statistics (INE). Yzuel claimed that so far 20% of the more than 300,000 hospitality sector establishments in Spain have permanently closed since the start of the coronavirus crisis. He expects this will increase to up to 30% - or 90,000 businesses - by the end of the year. Before the crisis around 40,000 restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels ceased to trade each year, a figure matched by the numbers opening. Yzuel predicts that this year the number of openings will not exceed 20,000. In cash terms, he estimates that the sector will have lost 40% of its income this year compared to last. Yzuel called on the government to support the sector in the coming months.

Taste of freedom ONE of the Costa del Sol’s top expat-run tapas joints has flung open its doors as the COVID-19 lockdown is eased. The Last Resort restaurant and bar in Sabinillas, run by Nina and Svetlin, is once again welcoming back customers. The popular eatery is enticing diners with a special summer offer of a free tapa with every alcoholic drink you order. A variety of Bulgarian, Spanish and English tapas can be enjoyed on the beautiful terrace, which overlooks the beach. The fantastic food and drink is served by the friendly Last Resort team, who are all equipped with masks and plenty of hand sanitiser. Call +34952893396 for more information

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL W

WORLD CLASS: Wakeboard and wakesurf head coach Jordan, while (below) the stunning nearby Castillo de Almodovar

HATEVER I expected from my toe-dipping exercise into the world of extreme watersports, it wasn’t a lesson from a European champion and a chance to shoot the breeze with them over an apres ski lunch. But that’s exactly the kind of A-list experience you can expect at Xtreme Gene in Cordoba. The wakeboard, waterski and wakesurf centre has been a mecca for watersports fiends since its inception in 2002. It is no surprise that the globe’s top pros flock to the area every year, especially when you first set eyes on the stunning Embalse de la Breña, on the fringes of Almodovar del Rio.

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The lake is a natural paradise far from the hustle and bustle of the Costa del Sol. As you enter the town you are greeted by the imposing sight of Castillo de Almodovar, a hilltop castle which doubled as Highgarden in the HBO hit series Game of Thrones. Upping sticks from Britain to this charming outpost of rural Andalucia was a no-brainer for Xtreme Gene’s husband and wife team, Matt and Debbie, whose extended family includes eight dogs, two cats and a horse. “We didn’t come here to be millionaires,” Debbie explains as we drive up a winding dirt track to the lakeside office, “We came here for a nice life.” The 54-year-old from Egham left behind a marketing job at Bacardi to set up Spain’s top ski and wake centre with Matt, 48, a former world number five water skier. The ex-champ from Macclesfield is at the helm as Xtreme Gene’s wakeski head coach, his world-beating expertise played down by a laid-back attitude and hillbilly straw hat. His professional but easy-going manner filters down through the entire Xtreme Gene family, including the wakeboard and wakesurf head coach Jordan Elizondo. The 24-year-old is another champion, who first came to Xtreme Gene on his 12th birthday and basically never left. He trains with the Spanish team, having won the nationals several times and even the European Wakesurf Championship in 2019. The patient young coach has watersports in his blood, which is good news as this is my first attempt at ‘walking on water’, either in skis or on a board. Although to be honest, I was perfectly happy soaking up the Cordoba heat on the Xtreme Gene terrace overlooking the lake, where a plunge pool and well-stocked bar create a compelling holiday atmosphere. But it’s my ‘wake up’ call … time to hit the lake. “It’s really glassing up,” Jordan grins as we amble down to the jetty at the water’s edge. This is ‘waterski speak’ for the glass-like surface on the lake when there’s practically no wind. Perfect conditions for beginners, I can’t wimp out now. We head out in one of the boats, I strap on my skis and take the plunge, so to speak. And hey, it’s not so bad as you might imagine, especially if you’re used to the salty sting and sometimes near-freezing

June 24th - July 7th 2020

Wake Wannabe water skier and wakeboarder Charlie Smith is thrown in at the deep end at Xtreme Gene in Cordoba

IN TRAINING: Charlie’s attempt at water skiing

temperatures of the sea. The freshwater lake, which has over 30km of runs, is also a popular fishing spot, teeming with black bass, pike, barbel and carp. “Keep your arms straight, shoulders back and knees bent,” Jordan shouts from the boat as I dangle in the water from the training boom. After a few attempts under his expert tutelage I make it up onto the skis and start using the rope. Soon I’m whizzing across the water like a stunt

double in a James Bond film and it’s easy to see why this addictive sport sees so many people flocking to Xtreme Gene every year. It turns out that I am far from the only beginner here this week, with Xtreme Gene regularly hosting families, holidaymakers, stag do dudes and college students as well as the creme de la creme from the watersports world. And when your time’s up, it’s not over. Like snow skiing, the ‘apres ski’ is all part of the fun. “Other water ski schools have 15-minute slots where you turn up and then you leave,” says Debbie, “We are not like that.” While sipping a beer in the bar you’ll be rubbing shoulders with aces like Joel Poland (main picture), the British under-21 world champion water skier. The young Brit is one of several world class athletes trained and sponsored by Xtreme Gene, and he has even helped out as a GLOBAL APPEAL: Visitors flock to Xtreme Gene from all over the world

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

of a time

June 24th - July 7th 2020

CHILLED: Winding down in Xtreme plunge pool after a day out on the Gene’s lake

TEAM: Xtreme Gene founders Debbie and Matt

guest coach. Amid the pandemic, business slowed to a trickle but since Spain opened back up, there has been a new surge of interest from those gagging for a better adrenalin rush than supermarket shop-

INCLUSIVE: Xtreme Gene trains everyone from beginners to top pros

Wa k e s u r f W ping. quick round a ksurfe b o aYouTube r d will “We have several guests in leave you amazed. July, and August is already Surfers are propelled along by i generated by a s kwake e rhuge getting fully booked,” Debbie Wa t the

says, “Word of mouth is really boat. important for us. Once you’re up onfor the board Amazing place “We are flexible and people – which you aren’t strapped a can stay in one of our air everything cononto as withfrom wakeboarding – ditioned cabins for a day or a and hit the ‘sweet spot’, you day trip to a week’s week, we can accommodate can let go of the rope and let all group sizes.” the wake do the rest. holiday The site is sparkling clean, With Jordan blasting tunes with coronavirus information Perfect from the boat’s forsoundsystem, posters and hand sait feels like we’re in some sueveryone from nitiser in abundance. per-cool music video. Debbie prepares us I eventually make it up onto the absolute beginners some tasty sandwichboard and am riding the wake toa pros es and I am once again raring like pro, before I eventually to hit the lake – this time in toss the rope back and drawakesurfing mode. matically boats ‘wipe out’, head over Latest If you don’t know what it is, a heels, in a matter of seconds. andHowever equipment it is clear that I have earned the respect of one of Stunning Europe’s topfresh water skiers and even topped up my tan a little water lake – not bad for an afternoon’s Barwork. & restaurant “The weather is always great here,” Jordan tells me, “And Terrace & plunge pool vibe, there’s just this holiday but it’s also one of the best Lakeside cabins schoolslog in Europe.” With my pride still largely inorI villas tact sadly depart but vow to return sometime soon to hone my new-found skills.

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Xtreme For more information ring Gene the lakeside on Watersp Spain office thern957057010 u o S orts Complex, Cordoba +34 or email Email : info@ 57057at 01debbie@xtremextreme-gene.com Tel: 0034 9Debbie gene.com For the latest news and information, find us on Facebook

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Venta Adventures,

T 10 BUSY: Venta La Duquesa

HEY are as much a part of Andalucia as fish and chip shops in Britain or bistros in Paris. The roadside ventas lining the highways of Spain’s largest region have been providing sustenance to the weary traveller for centuries. Take any main motorway or winding A-road and, chances are, after a few kilometres you will come across one.

1. Venta Galwey (Montes de Malaga), a scenic spot with amazing views and tasty stews 2. Restaurante Los Labraos, Benadalid, on the scenic A-369 from Gaucin to Ronda. This family-owned spot is charm personified with a lovely terrace 3. Venta Alfarnate, an ancient spot by a river high in the Axarquia, which once held famous 18th century bandit El Tempranillo captive 4. Venta Victoria, on a bend on the famous ‘restaurant road’ up towards Casares from the Costa del Sol, this is a historic but stylish place for a good value lunch

In a follow-up to our special on top-rated roadside restaurants earlier this month, OP editor Jon Clarke vents his views with his own Top 20 (in no particular order)

Normally squat ugly rectangles, you’ll know them from the line of metal parking shades out front. Utterly unprepossessing in the main, there’s rarely a hint of the quality of food and on

most occasions you will leave largely unimpressed. Yet, every once in a while the lowly roadside venta will blow you away. Take the wonderful 16th century Venta Galwey on the

5. Venta Quemada is one of the best stopping off places between Malaga and Alicante. On the main A-92 motorway near Cullar, in Granada province, this huge establishment does a roaring trade, often turning over up to 1,000 covers a day

ancient winding road into the Montes de Malaga park, or the ancient Venta Alfarnate which once imprisoned Andalucia’s most famous bandit, El Tempranillo. They are unforgettable.

Just as breathtaking is the isolated huntsmen’s hideout of Puerto de Galiz, in the middle of Los Alcornocales natural park, which Rough Guide editor Geoff Garvey highlighted in our last issue. Ditto the simple Venta el Castillejo, near Algodonales, where I sampled the best fresh tomatoes I have ever eaten. Of course, there are plenty of ‘old chestnuts’ too, as I

JON CLARKE’S TOP 20 16

6. Venta Pelistre, hidden on a back road between Arriate and Ronda, has some of the tastiest pork and a wonderful selection of gin and tonics. No wonder famous bullfighter Cayetano is a regular! 7. Ventorillo el Nene, just off the N-340 highway from Tarifa to Vejer, near Facinas, is a charming stopping off point with all its bullfighting paraphernalia 8. Restaurante la Tasquita sits, appropriately, on Calle la Venta, in the tiny village of Benamahoma, at the end of the best shady river walk in Andalucia 9. Venta Pinto on the approach road to Vejer has a fabulous panoramic terrace for summer dining. The split-level restaurant oozes old world ambience with a roaring log fire in winter months 10. Venta La Duquesa, in Medina Sidonia, is exactly how ventas should look and feel, and always buzzing 11. Caserio de San Benito is one of those secret places that you’d probably pass by without a second glance. But if you find yourself travelling along the main highway between Cordoba to Antequera it’s an absolute must

OPEN: The huge shaded terrace of Venta Polverilla just outside Ronda

12. Venta Ribera, in Riofrio, is the perfect stop en route to Granada city or the ski slopes of the Sierra Nevada. You will be rewarded with the best trout and caviar in Spain

15. Venta el Paraiso, in the middle of an umbrella pine forest ‘somewhere’ near Punta Umbria is a genuine secret. Just ask the King of Spain who has eaten there

13. Venta el Castillejo, near Algodonales, on the main A-384 from Jerez to Antequera, is simple, basic and serves the tastiest tomatoes and local asparagus you’ll ever eat

16. Venta Polverilla sits in the Llano de la Cruz valley near Ronda and boasts easily the best shady terrace for miles around

14. Restaurante Nicol’s, near Luque on the N-432 between Granada and Cordoba, is a surprise stop beside an old decommissioned railway line, featuring a collection of old carriages, and is just the ticket for great grub

17. Venta Marinetto is featured in all the top truck drivers’ restaurant guides, the best recommendation for hearty grub at reasonable prices. In front of Granada airport on the A92, there’s also a good choice of tapas 18. Ventorillo Patas Cortas on the original road between Malaga and Antequera, now the MA-3101, is possibly the oldest venta in the province, dating from the 15th century. Charmingly rustic inside, the walled garden patio is an idyllic spot for dining 19. Venta El Soldao in Los Badalejos (near Benalup on the A-2225) where they do amazing rice dishes, including the best Arroz con Faisan in Andalucia, claims a foodie pal 20. Restaurante Venta Los Morenos is a long time expat favourite. Find it at a busy roundabout between the Guadalhorce towns of Coin, Alhaurin and the Mijas road

OLD-SCHOOL: The rustic charm of Restaurante Nicol’s near Lupe

FOOD & DRINK

June 24th July 7th 2020

Part II discovered while compiling my book, Dining Secrets of Andalucia. I travelled far and wide around the eight provinces of the region to snuffle out the genuine truffles from the mouldy fakes. Fed up with the Michelin Guide’s failure to venture out of the cities and the inability of regional newspapers to point me in the right direction, I went out and did it myself. Now morphed into a website with well over 100 picks, quite a few of them are ventas well worth a detour. Sure, you will always find plenty of fried food and the toilets may not have soap (although, thanks to Covid, they probably do now), but you are guaranteed an ice cold beer for little over a euro and there will always be three or four specials of the day and some interesting local dishes. My advice? Always, always ask what they recommend. And pray it’s not the ‘callos’ (tripe with chickpeas, normally), which I have never managed to handle. While not all strictly ventas,

T H E C O S TA D E L A LU Z ’ S S T Y L I S H N E W LU X U RY H O T E L

AUTHENTIC: Venta Alfarnate is centuries old

most of my favourite 20 roadside restaurants are simple and good value. Do you agree with my top picks? We are hoping to compile Andalucia’s Top 50 roadside ventas... If

there’s a special roadside diner missing from the list you think we should visit we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a comment about why it deserves a place in our guide.

What’s your favourite venta? Send your Top 10 to newsdesk@theolivepress.es

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COLUMNISTS

June 24th - July 7th 2020

Lockdown Laughs As confinement comes to an end, I’ll miss the jokers in this Covid comedy of errors, writes Giles Brown

Y the time you read this, Spain will have bravely stepped into the ‘New Normal’. To be honest, I have had enough trouble adjusting to the ‘Old Normal’ since the mid-80s, but I blame that on moving from Stoke-on-Trent to Marbella without a suitable quarantine period.

Although the lockdown period did impose significant restrictions on each and every one of us, there were some lighter moments. I spent the past three months providing daily COVID-19 updates – and there were some stories that made me smile. Monty Python had a famous sketch called ‘The Upper Class Twit of the

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,

Year’ and Belgian Prince Joachim proved that upper class twits were alive and well and living in Brussels when he decided to visit Spain during the pandemic. Obviously deciding that Crown Heads of State were immune to coronavirus (Insert your own ‘let them wear masks’ joke here) he regally decided to disobey the quar-

UPPER CLASS TWIT: The Monty Python-esque Prince Joachim

antine requirements and, after landing in Madrid, caught a high speed train to Cordoba. (I do have a slight

A lot of wind 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.

The best dining terrace on the Costa del Sol is open again !!! from Friday 29th May

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!

bit of sympathy for the hapless Belgian as it turns out his girlfriend is from Cordoba, and the ancient city has long had a reputation for the dusky beauty of its women.) Unfortunately for the Prince and his beloved who were in town to party, after the social gathering, he awoke not only with (we imagine) a Champagne-induced hangover, but also having contracted the virus and a fine of over €10,000 on top. A right royal rollicking must have duly ensued. Meanwhile, Spaniards were also coming up with creative ways to leave the house. One man was videoed by police taking out the rubbish in a fancy dress T-Rex costume. I can only imagine that was his own version of PPE – Prehistoric Predator Equipment. And while you were allowed to take your pets for a walk, police also stopped people taking sheep, hens and, in one case, a toy dog on

Discovered sitting on a bench with his pet goldfish (in its bowl) wheels, for walkies. To top the lot, there was the genius in Logroño who was discovered sitting on a bench with his pet goldfish (in its bowl). The beauty of this plan was that goldfish only have seven-second memories – so the fish wouldn’t know if it had been out that day at all… But the best story of all concerned the newscaster Alfonso Merlos who, like many of his media colleagues, was forced to broadcast live from his living room. The proverbial hit the fan when a half-naked woman casually sauntered by in the background. As if that wasn’t embarrassing enough, the young lady in question turned out to be fellow journalist Alexia Rivas, rather than his then high-profile girlfriend, Spanish Big Brother contestant Marta López. Rivas later claimed that Merlos had told her that he was newly single, a fact that was news to López. Not surprisingly the reality star swiftly dumped the caddish anchorman, but not until after some very public mud-slinging. Makes me glad that I work in radio. At least the public don’t get to see the half of what goes on in the background when I broadcast…

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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 24th - July 7th 2020

Fairway L AW Y E R S

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.

Aiming high PLANS have been laid for a €1.5 million 50-metre-high Ferris wheel with the 30 cabins on the Boulevard of San Pedro next summer.

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Vol. 13 Issue 346 www.theolivepress.es June 24th - July 7th 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.