Mass graves to be exhumed

Bodies of victims of the Civil War and Franco's regime to be recovered

Civil War and Franco regime victims' bodies to be recovered

THE VALENCIAN government announced on Monday that an excavation of mass graves will take place in two locations in Benissa.

It is known that victims of both the Civil War and the Franco regime are buried close to the town, and it is hoped to recover and identify the deceased. The announcement that €164,560 has been set aside for the tender was made by the Minister of Justice, Gabriela Bravo, to representatives from a number of historical entities.

In one of the mass graves lie soldiers of Spanish origin from the People's Army. They were treated in the military hospital which existed in the Franciscan convent, and if they did not survive, they were buried on the outskirts of Benissa.

Benissa is among five towns along with Paterna, Godella, Castelló and Monòver, where the Valencian government will supervise the excavations.

The tender for the exhumations will take place in March and companies interested in attending to the melancholy task have a deadline of January 30 to do so. The contract requires the company to develop, 'with the maximum guarantees of scientific rigour', the actions envisaged in the project (surveys, excavations of graves, and if appropriate, exhumations and recovery), in accordance with protocols. Likewise, the company must preserve and safeguard, with all scientific guarantees, any remains until their onward interment, at a place yet to be determined.

The total amount allocated by the Ministry in the whole region for the purpose is €614,500 which includes the contract tender and direct involvement from the authorities themselves.

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