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Date Published: 19/03/2024

British soldiers expelled from Spain for entering the country illegally

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The four men were shipped back to Gibraltar after posing as tourists in southern Spain

British soldiers expelled from Spain for entering the country illegally

Four British soldiers have been detected entering Spain irregularly and were subsequently expelled back to Gibraltar. According to official Spanish sources, the soldiers arrived in Gibraltar on a civilian flight and had return tickets via the Rock, allowing them to pose as tourists and enter Spain undetected.

The soldiers stayed at a four-star hotel in La Línea de la Concepción, a municipality in Cádiz located on the border between Gibraltar and mainland Spain. Two of the soldiers attempted to return to Gibraltar at night, but were stopped by Spanish police who asked them about the purpose of their entry into Spain. The soldiers claimed they were going to work and presented their military identification, which aroused suspicion among the Spanish agents.

Upon further inspection, it was revealed that the soldiers did not meet the necessary requirements for non-EU citizens to enter EU territory, as outlined in the Schengen Border Code. The Spanish authorities then requested that the remaining two soldiers join them and return to Gibraltar.

This incident comes just one week after the British Navy conducted high-speed military manoeuvres with blank shots in the waters surrounding Gibraltar, which Spain claims as its own territorial waters. The move sparked tensions between the two nations, with Spain summoning the British ambassador to express its concerns over the matter.

Spanish authorities have stated that it is common for British soldiers to attempt to stay in Spanish territory by camouflaging their military status.

The latest incident highlights the ongoing issues surrounding the disputed territory of the Rock, and it will do little to smooth the way for the upcoming 18th round of negotiations for a treaty on Gibraltar.

A key focus of the talks between the EU and the UK will be defining the role of Gibraltar within the European Schengen area of freedom of movement. The goal is to create an “area of shared prosperity” that allows for seamless travel of people and goods, while addressing security concerns.

At the heart of the discussions is the fate of the border fence, a physical barrier that has divided Gibraltar from the rest of Europe for decades. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has emphasised the importance of removing the fence, but without necessarily resolving the longstanding dispute over sovereignty.

One potential solution lies in establishing joint controls at the port and airport, both owned by the British Navy and Air Force but with dual civilian use. However, several sticking points remain, including the sharing of Gibraltar’s airport and the regulation of British military personnel and equipment at nearby bases.

In other news: Irish man found dead in Costa del Sol jail cell

Image: Royal Gibraltar Regiment

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