A police officer was killed on 8 October in Lleida’s Cappont neighborhood by his 78-year-old father-in-law, in a case tied to a politically sensitive investigation. The shooting occurred at approximately 15:30 on Calle Doctora Castells, striking the 47-year-old mosso d’esquadra, Victor Sanz Cañelles, who had been probing the mysterious death of a Catalan separatist, Xavier García López.
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| Victim of Franco's MK-Ultra? |
Documents and interviews indicate the older man had recently been in psychiatric care, with some observers describing the circumstances as “suspicious.” Details about his treatment remain incomplete, and authorities could not be reached for comment, as the case is being handled with secrecy.
A source familiar with the suspect’s medical history has alleged that he was subjected to experimentation during the Franco era, possibly as part of classified behavioral programs. While public evidence is limited, experts say his advanced age, gaps in institutional care, and missing archival records make it difficult to fully understand his personal history; and have fueled speculation.
Adding to the context, another mosso d’esquadra has claimed that Officer Sanz was threatened to stop investigating the death of the separatist, highlighting the politically sensitive nature of the officer’s work and the potential risks he faced in the weeks before his death.
Historians and intelligence analysts note parallels with MK-Ultra, the CIA’s Cold War–era program in which subjects were exposed to psychological manipulation and chemical experimentation. Some MK-Ultra projects extended into Europe, and Franco-era Spain maintained close ties with American intelligence. Scholars emphasize that the regime operated with “few ethical constraints,” suggesting that domestic experimentation, alone or in collaboration with foreign agencies, is at least plausible.
Neighbors who witnessed the aftermath described the older man as “confused” and “disoriented,” appearing unsteady in the minutes following the shooting. Legal analysts say that the combination of his psychiatric history, alleged exposure to past experimentation, and fragmented historical records complicates efforts to assess his state of mind, and raise questions about the broader context surrounding the officer’s investigation.
Prosecutors have characterized the shooting as a deliberate act, though no evidence has emerged publicly linking it to the officer’s professional work. Nevertheless, unresolved questions about both the victim’s investigation and the suspect’s background have intensified public attention.
As the case moves forward, observers are watching whether the court will permit inquiry into the suspect’s psychiatric treatment and historical records from the late Franco period.
