Feb 25 • 17:23 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El País

Following the steps of the ‘man with the briefcase’ of 23-F, the captain who fled abroad after the coup: 'Days before he had taken all the money'

The article discusses the mysterious figure of Captain Gil Sánchez-Valiente Portillo, known as the 'man with the briefcase', who fled Spain after the failed coup attempt on February 23, 1981.

The article delves into the enigmatic character of Gil Sánchez-Valiente Portillo, a captain of the Guardia Civil who became infamous for his involvement in the 23-F coup attempt in Spain. After attending a critical meeting at the Congress with the key conspirator Antonio Tejero on the day of the coup, Sánchez-Valiente disappeared the following day and fled to an undisclosed location abroad. Reports suggested that he left with sensitive documents pertaining to the coup, raising suspicions about his role and the information he might have possessed, which became a focal point for intelligence investigations.

In the weeks following the coup, Sánchez-Valiente's disappearance sparked widespread intrigue and became a topic of investigation among intelligence services. It was reported that a conspirator claimed to have seen him leaving the Parliament building with what appeared to be a small item in hand, further deepening the mystery around his escape and the implications it may have had for the coup's aftermath. The recent release of declassified documents by the Spanish government included espionage reports concerning Sánchez-Valiente aimed at uncovering his whereabouts and the extent of his knowledge about the coup.

The public's fascination with Sánchez-Valiente reflects broader themes of accountability and transparency in the wake of Spain's tumultuous political history, especially regarding the failed coup attempt that attempted to destabilize democracy in Spain. The repercussions of such events resonate in the collective memory of Spanish society, highlighting the ongoing importance of scrutinizing historical events and understanding their implications on current political dynamics in the country.

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