Issuu

charged

help you Let HiFX your reach destination. www.hifx.co.uk

Page 18

The

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT INSIDE

Voted

Page 20

BEST

SEE OUR ADVERT INSIDE

Page 51

WE PAY

expat paper in Spain Vol. 13 Issue 300 www.theolivepress.es September 12th - September 25th 2018

Expats demand the return of

millions after FX company collapses amid fraud probe

Unfair cop

Mosquito Screens

Call Nick 647 072 861

Solutions UK TV Installations Troubleshooting •

Aggressive MINIMARKET

UK BASED

TRAVEL INSURANCE for Spanish residents

www.eliteglasscurtains.com

MORE,

EASY

FREE

GIVE IT BACK Page 52

with fraud

jewellery, gold, silver, items. of antiques, and unusual All types paintings CASH watches, WE PAY

CASHBACK ON YOUR HOUSE

www.globelink.co.uk

617 333 777

96 626 5000 +44 (0) 1353 699082

PAYBACK WHEN YOU SELL

PARKING 529 633

795 or 952 588

609

Diamonds@anthonys-diamonds.com

Your

expat

voice in Spain

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!

August 23rd 2022

Battle for the bottle

and drought THE heatwavesthis year’s wine are threatening harvest in Spain. hot summer the An exceptionally withering on has left grapes winemakers vines with many bring the harvest choosing to least a month. forward by at (grape harvest) The vendemiaplace during Sepusually takes have decided tember but many in August. to start picking to be down Yields are expected of 15% to 25% by an averagethe region. depending on

IS NOW BUYING ALL TYPES OF WATCHES AND JEWELLERY IN

4G UNLIMITED INTERNET

ANY CONDITION

IDEAL FOR TV STREAMING

WE BUY, WE PAY MORE, WE PAY CASH.

ALSO IPTV, SATELLITE TV

763 840 tel: (0034) 952 info@theskydoctor.com www.theskydoctor.com

952 147 834 r * O f f e

v a l i d

TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.indd

f o r

n e w

m e r s c u s t o

pacity. In total, Andalucia’s at 28% reservoirs sit 7% becapacity, some were low where they this time last year. Nationally, reservoirs sit at 40%. Opinion Page

c t S u b j e

2022

were deployed

to contain the

oil

CLEAN UP:

December 3rd December 16th 2021

the tree (below) DRAGON: Found the skull by Civil confirmed the discovery to the Olive Press and announced an investigation had been launched. However, he denied that it belonged to the ‘missing’ Dutch woman and was ‘most likely’ a man in his 40s. “The Judicial Police have taken over the investigation and it has now been taken to a laboratory in Sevilla for its study,” he said. He added: “We can assure you “DNA will be extracted and that it is not Linda, who is safe released to the Missing Perand sound and living in a comsons database within the next mune elsewhere in Europe.” two months.”

There was no sign of Horrified clothes or any other “It was definitely fresher and personal items, nor smelled quite a lot,” the Ro- any signs of a struggle. manian expat, who asked not Expats told the Olive Press to be named, told the Olive they had initially believed Press. the head was that of a Dutch “My initial thoughts were woman named Linda, who that it probably belonged to a had an abusive partner and a victim from the Civil War, as teenage son. there were many people exe- “She had very distinctive teeth cuted in this region and buried and we immediately suspectin unmarked graves. ed it was Linda,” said one. “But when I picked it up later “She left in strange circumand put it into a plastic bag to stances and we were worried stop Dragon from chewing it, I about her.” knew it was much more recent.” A spokesman for the Guardia The mother-of-two, who has

* O f f e r

v a l i d

f o r

n e w

c u s t o m e r s

o n l y .

S u b j e c t

t o

c o n d i t i o n s .

E n d s

. t i o n s c o n d i

E n d s

952 147 834

Tel: 952 147 834

r * O f f e

www.theskydoctor.com

v a l i d

TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.indd

/ 1 9 . 3 1 / 1 2

v a l i d

f o r

n e w

m e r s c u s t o

o n l y .

c t S u b j e

t o

. t i o n s c o n d i

E n d s

4 adverts v2.indd - Front page Ewn m e r s SP18206EN c u s t o n e w f o r

o n l y .

23:25 14/02/2020 t o c t S u b j e

E n d s

Properties Needed

Mijas and surrounding

areas!

Clients waiting!

/ 1 9 . 3 1 / 1 2

21/6/19 13:30

MAR

• • •

Oil & Filter changes Full Service Brakes & Transmissions Tyres & Puncture Repair

•

& custom builds

•

Fast, Reliable, Affordable

email: kwik4service@gmail.com Coin, Malaga 29100 Calle Ferrocarril 11, special offers For updates, news and

Diagnostic Wheel Alignment Pre ITV Checks Pick up and drop off service

3 4

K YOU

602

8 9 10 11

WED

12 13

FRI

SAT

SUN MON

TUES

WED

of Marbella Chip shop in the heart A Traditional Fish & All your chip shop favorites!

THUR

FIND US behind the Skol building, Marbella

TUES WED

Gestoría RECIO & MADRONA Accounting services Tax advisors and transfers | Non Residents Vehicle | Assisting at the Notary Spanish Car Registration

THUR FRI SAT SUN

29692 Manilva Avenida, 1F – Sabinillas Av. Manilva 1 – Edificio tel: 952 892 097 – info@costamanilva.com Taxi Rank Opposite Sabinillas

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PROPERTY DARE TO BE DIFFERENT WITH US / +34 677 696 092 tel: +34 663 78 99 18 info@grupodvos.com El Paraiso, C. La Dorada, 12, 29688 Málaga Estepona, Marbella,

MON TUES

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Continues on Page 4

la Costa. The PSOE boss is demanding all political parties and the regional authorities sit down with developers Gomendio, to find a solution, before the first bricks are laid. Part of her electoral promise to oust previous PP mayor, Emilion Bascunana, a year ago, was to oppose the mega-project. Her coalition partners from

By Alex Trelinski

the local Cambiemos party regard any development as a crucial red line and have threatened to withdraw support if the project is not scrapped. Gracia insists all parties must come to an agreement for the ‘common good (of the area) with respect for the environment and the rights

CHARGERS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

autoconsumo@solarworks.es

C O ST

Spain’s property in English best mag

FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE: The legend of Karl Largerfeld in Marbella

See page 16

NOVEMBER 2022

www.theolivepress.es

EXTRAORDINARY: How do they do that? Spain’s most outlandish, original places to live

Tech BOOM!

local environmentalists and of everybody involved’. “Perhaps Orihuela has room residents to oppose it to build thousands of new A protest group, Salvemos homes, but it does not have Cala Mosca, has organised to be, and hopefully will not a national petition and varbe, on the last virgin kilo- ious protests, the last in metres of our coastline,” she March this year. Another group, the Spanish said this week. Among options to be stud- Naturist Federation (FEM) ied for the UE2 Alameda del organised a nudist protest Mar project is a swap deal in May. for other land in the munic- One protester, Beatriz Vidal Martinez, said: “There are ipality. “If the construction compa- so many other areas to deny is willing to look for any velop. This is just about fiother location, then it will be nancial gain.” studied carefully,” explained Gracia. Snail The project was first includ- However, their opposition ed in Orihuela’s PGOU Gen- didn’t stop a final hurdle eral town plan over 30 years being passed by a Valencian ago and has been a continual government environment hot potato. impact study report in July. After it was provisionally While it was largely apapproved in 2007, opposi- proved, a ‘protected’ area of tion was quickly formed by 40,000 square metres will have to be maintained near fragile Cala Mosca itself. The report noted that it has at least two endangered species, the Cat Head plant (Tribulus Terrestris) and the Tudorella Sulcata snail. Former mayor Emilio Bascuñana, of the PP party, voted to approve the project a year ago.

HUNDREDS of new luxury homes will be needed on the Costa del Sol after Google announced it was making big moves into Malaga. Global developers are jostling for position to satisfy the expected demand as the city becomes the new ‘Silicon Valley of Europe.’ US property giant Berkshire Hathaway is aiming to build an initial 400 luxury villas to meet demand, after Google announced a cybersecurity ‘centre of excellence’ in the city. Its Spanish chief believes many of the buyers will be Americans relocating for the new jobs, having been seduced by the lifestyle and climate. “The interest Americans are showing in Malaga is especially significant as the city

Google’s plans to make Malaga new ‘Silicon Valley’ will see rising demand for luxury homes on the costa By Walter Finch

quickly positions itself as the Silicon Valley of Europe,” explained Bruno Rabassa at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Spain, which has opened an office in the city. “In a short time the city will have to accommodate many displaced workers from large companies.” His new office in the city centre intends to offer 400 new luxury properties to serve the burgeoning tech sector after Google’s announcement.

"The technological and cultural attractions, the climate, and above all the lifestyle have turned Malaga into a strategic key point for the real estate sector," he told SER radio. His company has already opened an office in Marbella, with plans to develop over 1,400 luxury properties along the Costa del Sol. Google released new details on its ‘centre of excellence’ at its annual cybersecurity summit in Madrid, a fortnight ago. The Google Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC) is being developed inside the shell of a historic building by the port of

Malaga. It aims to open its doors to budding cybersecurity professionals in the second half of 2023. And rather than just focus on southern Europe, as originally believed, the Malaga centre is now aimed at becoming a global hub. It will be ‘at the heart of the digital revolution’, revealed Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer at Google. “This is going to change the rules of the game: In 2023, Malaga will become our new Google Security Engineering Cen-

ter, a global centre for cybersecurity and malware research,” he said. Google released a slick video showcasing the new development, featuring some of the most iconic locations including the Pompidou Museum, the port and the cathedral as part of its promotion for the new project. Such a development is expected to create an agglomeration effect, drawing a wider range of tech enterprises to Spain’s south coast, creating the ‘Silicon Valley’ effect.

Tel: 952 147 834

See page 9

Opinion Page 6

SUN MON

9 10

Maundy Thursday

9 10 11

17 18 19 20 21 22

Good Friday

t o

c o n d i t i o n s .

E n d s

3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 .

21/6/19 13:30

SAT

S u b j e c t

29 30

Assumption Day

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

30 31

SUN

Hispanic Day

Immaculate Conception

SAT

Calle Bolivia 29692 Sabinillas (Manilva) Malaga lamardevinos@yahoo.es

HIRE

DIGGER & DUMPER (with operator)

678 45 00 51

costadiggers@hotmail.co www.costadiggers.com

TEL: +34 952 861 890 FAX: +34 952 861 695 info@lawbird.com www.lawbird.com

who English speaking lawyers Lawbird is a firm of litigation law, corporate law, specialise in property and immigration law. a company to buy a house, start service Whether you plan we offer a no-nonsense or relocate to Spain, to assist you. provides an of solicitors in Spain, Lawbird, your firm individual service tailored for to Spain. independent and reliable operating in or moving companies who are

A SAFE LEGAL APPROACH TO A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY Reliable Independent and

Slp Lawbird Legal Services (Spain) 19 29601 Marbella C.Ricardo Soriano,

SAT SUN Christmas Day

MON

LA MAR DE VINOS 1,

COSTADIG GERS & CONSTRU CTION BUILDING SERVICES

FRI

WEBSITE HAVE A LOOK AT OUR HOME. AND FIND YOUR PERFECT UNDER OR EITHER SECOND HAND GOING TO CONSTRUCTION WE ARE THROUGH WAY GUIDE YOU ALL THE YOUR PURCHASE EXPERIENCE.

WE NEED PROPERTIES

TO BUY FOR KEEN CLIENTS WAITING PROPERTY. A HOME OR INVESTMENT

TEL: 952 664 966 .COM INFO@IMPERIALESTATE .COM WWW.IMPERIALESTATE

AND WE WITHOUT COMMITMENT INTERESTING WILL PROVIDE VERY AND USEFUL INFORMATION!

TUES

FROM US TO YOU. EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

PANELS SOLAR ity e your own electric Tel: +34 951 120 830

becomes synonymous. Find what you need tradition and modernity

Generat

all in one location and lottery ticketsby professionals where Get your wine, delicacies in Manilva, attended in an idyllic place

WED THUR

representative Official Euromillions

TUES Constitution Day

THUR FRI

o n l y .

WED

c u s t o m e r s

n e w

f o r

v a l i d

* O f f e r

TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.indd 1

TUES

952 147 834 MON

All Saints Day

DEC

NOV

STRAND.ES +34 676 90 15 19 INFO@STRAND.ES

| www.mariposaenergia.es

www.grupodvos.com

OLIVE PRESS

NDS O

PLEAS: Protestors disrobe to protect virgin Cala Mosca

Mayor launches last ditch battle to save ﬁnal stretch of virgin coastline from mega-project

CAMPAIGNING A mayor is making a desperate last stand to save her town’s final area of unspoilt coastline. The Orihuela leader is organising a crucial meeting with all ‘interested parties’ to stop the controversial Cala Mosca development. Carolina Gracia believes there is hope to prevent the construction of 2,274 homes on the last stretch of virgin coast in Orihue-

Property

OLIVE PRESS

expat

The

The See page

Andalucia Day

147 83415

2022

autoconsumo@solarworks.es

- July 27th

Tel: 952

085 888

July 14th

+34 965

834

4 1

MON

MURCIA

+34 965 085 888

SUN HOME DELIVERY tel: 613 631 456

SUR /

www.theolivepress.es

PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATIONS

OCT

SEP

FRI SAT

E LACTOS AND GLUTEN FREE S OPTION

expat

Issue 69

952 147

www.morairaph.com

Your

in voice Spain

BLANCA

Vol. 3

New location further down the road towards Moraira town centre, next to Gemisant & Kostas Restaurant

reservas@palaciodelabellota.com www.palaciodelabellota.com C/Mosent Femades, 7 CP. 46002 VALENCIA

Three Kings

THUR

DOW WIN VICE NAL SER NA SIO NG FES PRO CLEANI ESTEPO AY TOD LA TO ON BEL TATI 11 78 MAR R QUO

7 8

TUES

575

AUG

JULY

Labour Day

SAT SUN MON

THE ENGLISH WINDOW CLEANER

BOO

Telephone: 951 273

JUNE

MAY

APR

WED THUR FRI

•

Auto Repairs 678 27 68 09

tel: 678 27 68 09

HOME FROM HOME

SEE

COSTA

Calle Mulhalcen 3, Ctra Moraira de Calpe 142b, Moraira Teulada 03724, Alicante

TUES

SERVICE KWIK hop automotive works Specialists in restoration

Benijófar

BENIJOFAR - A HOME HOME INSIDE FROM OUR PULLOUT

FREE

SPECIAL OFFER

tel: +34 620 523 613 / +34 966 498 993 email: info@morairaph.com

www.theolivepress.es

New Year

2,5 kw R32 gas refrigerate A+++20db 3 years warranty

Property

Your voice in Spain

A PETRIFIED expat has been waiting for four months to have an answer from Torrevieja Hospital about whether or not she has breast cancer. Karen Moon, 66, has been left horrified after hearing the continual horror stories emerging from patients. “I am feeling very emotional and worried. And it is affecting my mental health,” said the retired school teacher, this week. She added: “The situation has also affected my relationship with my husband.” The Olive Press has already investigated the malfunctioning public hospital three times over the last two years. Most recently in July (below) we splashed on the appalling levels of care after securing exclusive interviews with a number of angry doctors. One of them ended up resigning after many years of service over the debacle. Our journalists have tried for months to contact hospital bosses for a response but we have not been able to speak with anyone. Karen Moon’s own personal nightmare O LIVE PRESS started when she visited on May 23, to take a mammogram to dis-

at the Costahave slammed the director and I think DOCTORS hospital conditions action. beleaguered workingcare. put intoresign.” last autumn the appallinglevels of Press that delays in to calm should got so heated be called waited for disgracefulthe Olive were frequent at Matters had to who doctor HOURS They told that police patients while TO 18 just to see a (top), in of UP down angry Giner be seen. and Emerfor patientsHospital. management Peris hours to Doctor to public political rows. Torrevieja the Accident was funcclaims want action returned years of run by Ribstaffing department Kidnappedlast month after point’ Meanwhile, Peris the tal ‘a 50% three (A&E) October, the hospital,had regularly shocked ‘50% of Manuel ‘just gency with around ‘at breaking Press reported was so 2006, causing lists and on around family their father, and Doctor The Olive Hospital tioning with sometimes his Previously since hospital’ this is of kidaffairs, was working and among ser- era Salud in ‘best (middle) how a Swedish level’, 80, they took SCANDAL: treatment state of Dolon awards. 15 years ago medical appeared staff needed’ at the in doctors’.an alarmingdozens of medics as Mayor in a worse and depression Svensson, ward and and other won numerous stress alarming hospitals resulting Bo-Eskilhim from the And in reveal that conditions where changeover. as doctors is really of the best Eduardo to wait members, autumn ahead of the over was backed Sweden. we have connapped work 24-houra “It we can mayor one patients. forced conyears home to have to eight days it was Torrevieja Press. vice for indictment doctor Jose staff quit have resigned left doctors worsening are sometimesfor a bed.Giner, him the last two “Most without a break, the law. to Spain,”told the Olivelot of doctors His damningunion boss, patientsTO 60 HOURS highlighted local doca the Over spiJose Peris hours of Dolon shifts which is against of excellent up by Peris. things for UP doctor, month, told be- tinually at the hospital. fact that up to 18 not enough when promises it changed “It is a had employed month, last Manuel are simply can waitthe low number ditions Peris confirmed Emergency when added Olive position from 2020 told who are over broken “A patient Doctordramatically Salud was the “There the ones he told the who resigned conditions that his more likely.” and with chiefs management,” working be seen mistakes are tors and were having ralled firm Riviera contract to hospital local Olive Press work under its nor I could from private said the depression are overworked,” but they instanthis members come untenable. who insistedoffice, in 2022. are doctors, be losing believe any longer,” the hos- private due to taking Dolon, briefed his He added Press. hire doctors at it would governmentcials promised “I didn’t conditions sick days were also offi when neither to take and to break“They as the working who worked Valencian such conditions improve Valencian has got medic, media. early retirement. ly quit enough.” A&E department would far from reali“While senior 15 years. “It the Valencian good the While Ministry says Mithe hospital pital for you receive over, that’s ng not added that Investment Minister, “When waiting for Health A&E waiting they took added. ing point.” that staffithe He by been really difnew Health heavy investaveragehave fallen was to ty,” Peris he explained point in He continued: it is who has claims of staff with times Indeed,came to a crisis the planJune, Valencia’s a patient eight hours, increase just 1,043 guel Minguez, to in led to an 15% since issues more thandevelop a relationship the comparedended. ment has introduced for ficult to was never rubbished 1,793 people, contract requests over unions promised them. are when Ribera’scontinual claim. patients “Everything c complaints Press Yet, despite backed They insist on specifi The Olive one being answers six weeks, ed with no hossimply A&E corridors rooms the last totally rebuff from the up in to has been for comment of ‘up or observation availableregional goverment. with delays for a hospital Page 6 pital or 60 hours’ Opinion bed. to medical Accordingthe problems unions when the hospibegan

21st 2022 Vol. 3 Issue 73 www.theolivepress.es September 8th - September

FIGHT THEM ON THE BEACHES

Still critical

Blanca at Costa Crisis quit in their 60 to EXCLUSIVE: as doctors wait ‘up hospitaland patients drovesfor a bed’ Trelinski By Alex Hinojosa most hours & Jorge Blanca’s

Giastu Aroma 2

Air Conditioning | Bathroom Fitting Gas and Oil Central Heating | Electrics Certification & Inspection | Pool | Solar Energy

. t i o n s c o n d i

O LIVE P RESS COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA

FREE

EXCLUSIVE: British expat ‘devastated’ after waiting four months for breast cancer results at Torrevieja hospital

SHAMBLES!

PLUMBING & AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTS

SOLAR ELECTRIC ENERGY NOW BEING INSTALLED

COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA

people who cannot prove requirements to use a mothat they have a disabili- bility scooter. ty but they insist that they In 2019 Benidorm introcannot walk,” claimed Ta- duced new by-laws to tackle the problem of mobility nia. “Others rent the scooter scooters, banning them then give it to other mem- alongside Segways, hovbers in their group to drive, erboards and motorised which is also against the scooters from the town’s local law,” said David, the pedestrianised areas. owner of the company. has council Menace Benidorm launched a crackdown folin lowing complaints about They were also bannedthe scooter users driving ir- cycle lines and along responsibly on the pave- paseo. The vehicles, a favourite ments and in bike lines. have “The majority of the drivers among British tourists, do not respect the maxi- been branded a ‘menace’ used mum speed and it is really and should only be with dangerous because it can on sidewalks by people cause accidents,” a spokes- genuine disabilities at 4kph person from Benidorm or walking pace. into council told the Olive Press. The new laws came batBenidorm’s council con- effect after a two-year and firmed that so far this sum- tle and seven attempts in mer two people have been followed a similar ban fined for not meeting the Alicante.

MORAIRA PLUMBING HEATING

599€ (inc IVA)

MON

expat

SCOOTING ALONG: Benidorm on alert over scooters

According to Benidorm bylaws, only those aged over 55 or with a disability problem are entitled to drive a mobility scooter. “We have a lot of cases of

Nation faces worst fire season ever See page 4

reservas:

963 51 49 94

including standard installation and material

FRI SAT

Your voice in Spain

July 28th - August 10th 2022

www.theolivepress.es

SPAIN BURNS

Open every day Closed Monday

21/6/19 13:30

WED THUR

O LIVE PRESS

COSTA BLANCA

Vol. 3 Issue 86

YOUNG Brits too lazy to By Jorge Hinojosa walk and too mean to pay for a taxi are inventing fake disabled relatives in order a whistleblower from a to hire mobility scooters. Now police in Benidorm rental scooter company in have launched a crackdown Benidorm. on tourists renting mobility She said that young people scooters and slapping them often claim they are hiring with fines of up to €500 if a mobility scooter for a disthey have bent the truth on abled parent, but when the company staff follow it up, application forms. The vehicles have become they find there is no such a popular means to get person. around the resort and are “Most of them are young no longer the reserve of Brits that want to use it those who find it difficult to to go clubbing to save the money of a taxi,” revealed walk. In fact, holidaymakers are Tania Costa, who works at lying to scooter rental com- Amigo 24 Mobility Scooter panies in order to bypass Hire in Benidorm. rules, an Olive Press inves- She said ‘80% of the people who rent our scooters are tigation has found. “The Brits often lie to our from the UK’ and estimated company as they do not that around half of them do meet the requirements to not meet the requirements get a scooter,” admitted for a mobility scooter.

SALES & RENTALS SPECIALISTS

/ 1 9 . 3 1 / 1 2

TUES

FREE

EXCLUSIVE: How British tourists are bypassing disability rules to rent mobility scooters

www.moraira-hamiltons.net

r * O f f e

OLIVE PRESS

On the trail of the bear See page 18

FAUX-BILITY

96 649 1883

MON

952 147 834 TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.indd

may

COSTA BLANCA

Moriara•Calpe•Jalon•Javea•Denia•Altea

Tel: 952 147 834

07181, Mallorca.

FEB

JAN

21/6/19 13:30

or any queries you

O LIVE PRESS

5/10/21 17:27

MALLORCA

3 1 / 1 2 / 2 1 .

MEANWHILE, find out how to get organised this year with our 2023 wall planner on page 7

ANDALUCÍA

The FREE

NEWS

Gruesome discovery

EXCLUSIVE IT was during a short walk By Elena Goçmen Rueda with her dog before taking the kids to school that an expat got the most incredible shock lived in Spain for 11 years, had of her life. soon got the father of her chilWrapped up warmly against dren to contact the Guardia the winter morning in the Al- Civil, in nearby Orgiva. pujarras, near Granada, she A patrol car was quickly on had no idea why Dragon start- the scene, by the new age seted scratching madly at the tlement of Beneficio, near Caearth. nar, where the expats live. Walking over she was horri- After taking the bag for safe fied to discover that the Ger- storage, they went with man Shepherd cross had dug her to visit the macaup a skull that she immediate- bre site, which sits ly knew was human. just below the main Initially thinking it was a vic- car park of the altertim of the Spanish Civil War, native community. she later realised on returning They looked around to retrieve it that it was much and, oddly, found more recently deceased. no further bones or remains.

t o

Contact 914 19 80 77 ella.com tel: 0034 Info@braceestatesmarb RBELLA.COM WWW.BRACEESTATESMA have!

See page 22

+34 952 58 75 73

25/1/22 16:49 1

www.theolivepress.es

Skull found at alternative community near Granada is ‘not’ missing Dutch expat, but man in his 40s

I MISS HIM: Michelle with ‘Nod’ and (inset) our original story

2023 Calendar

O LIVE PRESS

14:02

952 147 834

TheOlivePress-256x45-MP0122.indd

2022

952 147 834

Discover hassle-free currency transfers

your property? Considering selling us at: For a free valuation

Check out our guide to resolutions you can actually stick to!

www.grupo-protec.com

expat

- March 10th

Is it him?

The

16/2/22

February 2022 FIGHT ON: VW’s ID.4 is aimed at taking on Tesla

are introduced in Cash incentives for electric cars options Spain as we take a look at popular

them into the reach of many more people’s wallets. PAIN has pledged to make By Dilip Kuner One of the most unusual will be the from the entire country carbon Volvo’s Tesla Cybertruck. Aimed squarely ata new neutral by 2050, and for this perforto happen cars are going to the country. Group’s SEAT subsid- the US market where ‘trucks’ are arm mance Volkswagen huge segment, this retro-futuristic have to get greener. iary plans to team up with power make it (the other, the It’s automotive plan focuses on the company Iberdrola to build Spain’s ‘space machine’ is sure to 1, is a hybrid electric to Spain at some point. environmentally-friendly first battery factory for Electric Vehi- Clad in dent-proof stainless steel petrol-electric), and hybrid car industry and aims to cles (EVs). alternaof Mad and make the technology cheaper, and Volkswagen has previously an- it looks like something out models boss tive easier to use and access across the nounced its intention to build six EV Max, and according to Teslatough, and specs are Elon Musk it will be a ‘really country. for planned battery plants across Europe, with not fake-tough’ truck. Special incentives have been rolled three earmarked for he ended up with egg this year. out over the coming the Spain/Portugal/ Mind you, Apart from its on his face at the vehicle’s launch green motor, years to encourage the southern France area. durability ownership of green The government In total, the govern- when he tried to prove its ‘torture tests’. Volvo has also vehicles, both private granting through a series of Musk hurled i n t r o d u c e d is a ment is granting The interior is minimalist, with going well until and commercial. €3.75 billion towards All was ball at the vehicle and shat- frameless mirrors and a light- low, flat floor and a vibe that Nissan The Spanish govern€3.75bn to making electric and a steel ‘armoured’ glass. er-than-leather vegan interior fabric calls ‘lounge-like’. It has a ment has approved an to mimic the durability of cars cheaper tered its has been the leader designed claimed range of around 300 miles make electric hybrid €800 million fund up than petrol and diesel While Tesla a wetsuit. €40,000. in EVs (particularly in the publicity A pair of electric motors work with a and pricing is from around until the end of 2023, to buy by 2027. cars cheaper will have more competiThis performance and luxury will be which is available now. But there is no need stakes) it ever this year, with main- 27-module lithium ion battery pack wrapped in a package with a range Private buyers can to wait that long if you tion than manufacturers not only to deliver an impressive 402 horse- of 200 miles. It costs from around stream claim up to €7,000, power, and a range of up to 275 wish to help save the planet. Car €75,000. with companies buying fleets to use manufacturers have been develop- ready to unveil a slew of latest-techmiles. But all this comes VolkMeanwhile nology models, but also ahead of at a price with the luxas taxis eligible for more. Vans can ing electric vehicles for years now. swagen’s ID.4 SUV the game. attract subsidies of up to €9,000. engi- ury car costing from While still more expensive than their The Audi e-tron is aimed squarely These incentives follow a govern- traditional contemporaries, subsi- For build quality and top-class look. €59,900. The compaat taking on TesGT is a sleek ment pledge to promote battery pro- dies and scrappage schemes are neering Volvo is worth a closebrings ny aims to sell 65,000 la. Starting prices duction in Spain and push the manbringing Their Polestar 2 five-seaterstyle to units this year. electric sedan are from around Volvo polish and Swedish ufacture of electric vehicles in When it comes to main€46,000 in Spain compete with Tesla’s Model 3. It stream manufacturers, with loads of and it has a range of is the second vehicle to come Nissan was one of the EXPENSIVE: 250 miles. power The Audi first to enter the marStaying with the Gere-tron GT ket. Its LeafEV now has man marques, the sales of nearly half a Audi e-tron GT is a sleek, electric semillion. with loads of power and polish. The car giant is aiming to dan the streamlined bodywork build on this success hav- Behind architecture shared with ing recently launched the is some Taycan EV. Ariiya, a more stylish take the Porsche 590 horsepower, the two-moon emission-free t r a n s - With should accelerate from zero tor GT portation. miles per hour in an impresThe five-passenger SUV to 60 seconds, and will be able features a surprisingly sive three an 80% charge in just 20 aggressive look, with some to gain The car is top-of-the ranminutes. swoopy, concave surfacing geo expect to pay €100,000 plus. and wheels pushed to the corners.

Your

voice in Spain

February 25th

TheOlivePress-256x170-CAR1021.indd

SKY

A DRINK: DYING FOR threatened Grape harvests

www.theolivepress.es

man believe he in a missing British THE family of in mysterious circumstances may have died by EXCLUSIVERueda told the Olive Spain. Michael Brittain Elena Goçmen discovered The sister of it is ‘likely’ a body Press she thinks is her brother Michael. of a gear’ to dig his recently in a ravinelast month that the bodyhiker two decades ago. brought ‘drilling Police confirmed was found by a German there. Bizarrely, he had on a plot he acquired could be the 40-year-old man ex- own well the discovery Granada. near Orgiva, in the Olive Press revealed anon a The family believeswhereabouts. out his A month earlier unearthed a skull whilst explanation for him 11 years ago and found expat’s dog had “We tried to find at a travellers commune,” area. walk in the same clothes and some dreadhe was in Orgiva seen him Now we can revealup near the body. plained Michelle. why nobody has locks also turned some jeans and a pair of could explain the skele- “This she said. an alterna“A purple sweater, since,” found next to and always lived small shoes were expat. left school at 16 officers “He lifestyle”, Michelle added. medium build. ton,” said the Romanian been taken by tive of light to They have since Civil for analysis. foot 8 (1,72cm), the Olive Press the skull he is He is 5 from the Guardia sister, Nod, as as The Guardia Civil told sent for analysis, adding: been According to his as well be, but and skeleton had about who it may be cauknown, had dreadlocks, have suspicions we must size seven feet. in 2014, “We we have the test results, until He lived in Orgiva from the UK having arrived

Mathias

+ + THE DOCTOR

834 Tel: 952 147- Page V

Vol. 5 Issue 125

dog Dragon the MYSTERY: up the skull here (right) dug

in giant boss snared Global mafia crime clampdown international centred in Mallorca

By George as one of the monIT will go down internationalin recent largest million mansion probes stunning €5Andratx. ey-laundering years. the FBI and from at least overlooking Over 600 policecrime agencies Agencies includingCrime Agency he has five nationalto bring down one the UKs National the millions estate, are probing have united mafia bosses. globally in real of Europe’s key cars. Mallorca, Bashkim invested Based out of run his global drug artworks, and high-end properties were Osmani had which is sus- A total of 18 Formensmuggling empire, at least €30 raided in Mallorca and in decade. tera alone, with €200,000 pected of laundering cryptocurmore than a million over week, when the cash and €40,000 in with severUntil this Kosovan was finally rencies seized, along 55-year-old hotel in Croatia in al luxury watches. was locations raided snared at a money launderer between Spain’s One of the in Portals. International Mallorca property a co-operationand National Po- the Ritzy restaurant,ten kilos of and CLEANED OUT: Guardia Civil assets siezed A dozen firearms,high-end veOsmani has family inside lice. including cocaine and 13 were raided with ‘hopes to be hicles their His family meanwhile, as d saying Osmani picked up at Spain as soon impounde his wife, were transferred to in cash. he considers in the raids held in a maxi- possible’ and that be ‘completefrom a million to that also took He also made millionsincluded He is now being prison in Croatia, accusations to Mal- the mum security place in Bel- property empire that villas and while he awaits transfer of his ly unfounded’. date has been set gium. hotels, restaurants, was the hub Presently, no lorca, which His operationa casinos. extradition. to have had operation. that for his amassed Osmani is believed the Croa- It was here, on the island, fortune from high end contacts in ‘summits’ Prison including the he hosted at least 10crime netlucrative a Burim setian government, his brother for international narcotics op- former head of the Croatian Osmani and notorious entredecade. over the last of become eration that cret service. also had works comprised a series Eu- have both in Germany, the Guests imported co- In Belgium, where he of their network police ar- prominent figures from would preneurs, from caine where one arm €1.3 world who influential contacts, in the Balearics.arropean mafia hotels in Calvia. South Amer- rested 30 people and seized is based, and were stay in luxury claim it is ‘crucial’ In 2008, both brothers ica. launtask force for Investigators to Mallorca rested by a millions of euros.to severthat he is brought he would receive dering and fear that treatment’ from Osmani was sentenced but later was ‘preferential authorities, should al years in prison, €900,000. 10 & 16 fined See pages 7, 9, the Croatian released and Portals Nous, he be tried there. a statement His lawyer released

SUN

Build your future

FREE

TAKEDOWN

groups ENVIRONMENTAL worst ever natfrom off a direct orderto his cried one of Gibraltar’s after a ship beached to legedly disobeyed carried on sailingdespite ural disasters to shed its oil on the port and life. Netherlands Catalan Bay started damage marineOS 35 destination in the gash in its hull. blackened by local beaches and meas well as seagulls from the stricken having a 10-metreinvestigation is now to their social skim as ties, Oil seeped out after it was forced on situation and surface the spill, according An independent to monitor the the the collision. bulk carrier soon when it hit another Bay, dia site. underway into authorities declared the much oil as possible from areas were Sandy to the sandbanksLNG when it left the The worst hit Little Bay. On August 31, beaching of the ship a of the water. and larger Salvaship, the ADAM of August 29. black oil collision and after the ship started to Algeciras port sent its to the scene, Rosia Bay noticed thick bay on the nightacted quickly, ordering boats Gorham’s But authorities Major Incident crew was evacuated. mento Maritimo the Gibraltar port around World Heritage Site La Linea Gibraltar’s port Tuvalu-registered ship and its alongside it break up Point and was closed down prevent the 178-metre water to prevent it At this point, the portresources to the working to remove oil and Cave at Europa to deal with the authorities all to beach in shallow its own beaches of control. deeper water making to fully attend spill slipping out Oil Spill closed breaking up insave. most of divers the government brought in coordi- spill. emergency. now removed impossible to has since experts to oil The difficult circumstances, Port barges have from the OS 35 shipthe Under up most of the en- Response Limited Gibraltar’s government response. of the ship for the oil and diesel of the managed to patch nate the disaster blamed the captain some oil had and stop the flooding Sea wreck. the beginning gine room. he al- leaks tragedy. barges From out into the Mediterranean the skipper after Port secondary leaked Police arrested Hit the primary and moved in to start the ship. discovered all bypassing pumping out and booms placed around to stem the Nautilus Project volunteers Mediterand fuel oil, diesel Sep- Despite the brave attempts endangered Ribbed hit reached Gibraltar’s and that theLimpet had been especially lube oil on spill, some oil ranean staining rocks tember 1. Spain’s beaches, moved by the spill. wildlife. The government authorities quicklyhad been ALL AREAS all its its hurting red flags on winds Maritime the booms thatagain propushed all Authorities flew COVERED strong westerlythe oil in to restore wind, once coastal agencies beaches as moved by the areas. fanned to work tirelessly in their direc- tecting bathing impact could 4G UNLIMITED tion and moved But the environmental activists said. booms designed remain for years, the worst-case sceINTERNET feel “We are concerned to protect them. before us and could now be for our environIDEAL FOR On land, volunangry TV sea nario saddened and Environmental Support teers for local STREAMING life charity The ment,” said anspokesman. (ESG) ALSO as sucNautilus Project to Grouphope recovery efforts are “We IPTV, worked hard in limiting the oil –even check common cessful as possible SATELLITE areas spread and removal of of bathing established, traces oil TV though, as is well will remain in the and clean the off rocks where this contamination some time to come.” environment for possible. found 6 They Opinion Page 763 840 heavy oil stains tel: (0034) 952 16 jeton rocks and See pages 14 & info@theskydoctor.com

Volunteers

CA MALLOR

OLIVE PRESS

G I B R A LTA R

See Property Sup

FOR MORE PLEASE INFORMATION ON CALL ANTHONY 33 +34 609 52 96

o n l y .

- September 20th

SPILL: Booms

ANTHONY’S

ALL AREAS COVERED

PATRIOTIC: Flags are going up

the celebration marks HE hottest date on Gi- 1992,identity and indepenbraltar’s annual calen- the of Gibraltar and gives dar is September 10, dence the chance to come when it celebrates its residentsas one. together historic National Day. This year, the Rock marks a Plenty to celebrate its 55th anniversary as self-governing British territo- For Gibraltar, the date of Sepry, and thousands of revellers tember 10 signifies several will flock to its public and pri- historic moments. The most vate spaces to commemorate important is the 1967 sovwhere this grand occasion. in ereignty referendum, to The festivities, returning residents were asked full force after the Covid pan- vote whether they wanted to demic, will be held in Case- go under the sovereignty of mates Square, John MackinContinues overleaf tosh Square and Governor’s in Parade. A tradition started

The Rock’s ONLY free local paper

September 7th

The

September 2022

Getting ready to party after pandemic restrictions spoiled 2 years’ festivities

CAPTION

collision worries as sea Enviromental oil while authorities left ship leaking stop the flow scrambled to have deBy John Culatto

its hottest July SPAIN has suffered on record. the mercury soarOfficial data shows degrees above the when ing to nearly three last 60 years, average of the records began. temperature for the Positive The country’s degrees, according but be smaller this month was 25.6national meteorologGrapes will believe to AEMET, the some winemakers a bad thing. ical office on Monday. isn’t necessarilyfewer grapes to higher than the back to It makes it 2.7ºC “We will have have a positive records dating average from pick but it willmarkets because the effect on the be better quality 1961. hottest place in the wine will price,” says CasPredictably, the de la Frontera, and at a good levels in Andalucountry was Moron where the dials Agriculture at with the heat Meanwhile, water tilla La Mancha Martinez. secin Sevilla province, continue to drop Madrid deal 24 during the Children in Minister Francisco and cia’s reservoirs hit 46ºC on July cades ago. groves are also the of the summer. July COPING: alarming rate. the extreme heat Spain’s olive ond heatwave warnings that As a result of is suffering nearly its an two main reservoir systems, and sizzled from restruggling with The By Fiona Govan as ‘the The period, which be massively drought, Spain of the Guadalquivir on record. was described harvests will up prices of oil. Mediterrayear of wildfires 9 until July 26,the most extensive and already reservoirs of the Andalucian duced pushing country’s corn, warmest worst 240,000 hectares had most intense, Some were also the than 370 those Basin continue to hemorrhage in history. Meanwhile, the nean crops could Ju- and June with AEMET warning been scorched in more the second longest’ water. one of the driest record, wheat and barley baof July. as 13% this year, It has also been rainfall in the last on summer seems to be starting blazes by the end The Guadalquivir hecfall by as much rising. that did six dely’s with the least sin lost 70 cubic earlier than it with prices inevitably a week of May a month 15 years. tometres in just of the months Alarmingly, and sits at a capacity - Pawnbrokers AndaTHE SKY Antiques – Jewellers 24%, while the lucian Mediterranean 45% caDOCTOR Basin sits at

GIBRALT

www.theolivepress.es Vol. 6 Issue 181

Wildlife danger

The

With our Gibraltar inside Day special pullout

OLIVE PRESS

FREE

The

GET READY TO PARTY! National

ANDALUCÍA

The

26 2014

Vulnerable

trample and they can who think the honest Thosethe elderly,- expat or otherthemover to find Press. the vulnerable Los will continuethe Olive wise - exposed by including are cases, selves voice ERE scandal, Corruption and the open as the the Merinos out in louder. finally grows to be monumenas history, to of dissent is set politicalthreatens Next year Spain’s two-party tal in party Podemos a new apart the corrupt on a lighthere blow shining state. been and are injustices We have and we a decade to breathe the corruption and for nearlyany attempt politics backing into Spanish and issues, new life the country. next 200 Spain! clean up to the fairer Here’s cleaner, a better,

Princess

& Pawnbrokers ANTHONYS Jewellers Antiques, WANTED

WE BUY,

O LIVE PRESS

THEY say good things come in threes, or in this case 300! In our fitting 300th issue we are packed with exclusives and original content - more than ANY other English paper in Spain. Aside from the news and our ongoing TripAdvisor probe, we have food features on the culinary delights of the Basque region, as well as a missive on how an Andalucian weed helped boost the UK’s literacy rates in Victorian times. Plus our in-depth dispatch from the Valley of the Fallen, where Franco is soon to be exhumed, with exclusive commentary from three of Spain’s leading Hispanists, Paul Preston, Ian Gibson and Giles Tremlett. And in a special supplement to mark our 300th issue, we tell the story of how the Olive Press came to be and where many of our former reporters currently work, with some in Russia and America. Yes, there is a lot inside. So sit back, grab a coffee or reach for your glass of wine and relax with your favourite fortnightly newspaper. We’re here for at least another 300. Hope you’ll still be too.

issue!

13- November

issues and 200 Press Olive IGHT years very first ago thestreets. the travesty hit the exposed cutting off carving That issue developers began of greedy as they the obligatory and footpaths on Unesco-procourse a golf houses Ronda. followed, 1,000-plus has land near tected issue that campaigned safIn each fought and a greener, we have Andalucia place. ento makeall round betterto bring public er andout of a desire into the issues has evolved Born Englishvironmental Olive Press number-one eye, the to ininto Spain’s newspaper. prepared and languageonly one expose evillegal It is the scams, as various vestigatejustice – fight forhave shown. threats

Corruption crackdown

August 10th -

The

200 www.theolivepress.es

EXCLUSIVE Horgan By Rob

ÍA

Issue

Landlord against protest who hasn’t tenant years paid for

The

November

Vol. 8

Get out of my house! holds

ANDALUC

400 www.theolivepress.es Vol. 16 Issue

otoring

O LIVE PRESS

Celebrating

ibraltar National Day

WIN -books,

FREE

WWW.MASMOVIL.ES/EN

OLIVE PRESS

FREE

It was three the degrees above average as July soar temperatures to an alarming new record

TheOlivePRess-37x55-CAR.pdf

A M the Take a drive on our ELECTRIC OPTIONS wild side with Motoring special S inside ll about

G BACK TO IT’S BEST www.theolivepress.es

200th all in our away... and weekends English-language cookbooks in Andalucía and only newspaper The original investigative

olive press

WIN WIN

the PREPAID THE BEST PLANS MOBILE ON THE MARKET!

all our A big thanks toOP hits readers as the yet another milestone

SCORCHIO!

Mijas Costa

Your expat

voice in Spain

Vol. 17 Issue 410 www.theolivepress.es January 11th - January 24th 2023

Family and friends insist on action at alleged burial site with still no sign of missing teen who vanished 15 years ago

DIG FOR AMY!

FLASHBACK: Our expose in 2008

PLEDGE: Quieros (pictured with Amy) has said he is willing to dig up stable (main pic) and ringed (left) EXCLUSIVE By Anthony Piovesan

THE aunt of missing Amy Fitzpatrick is demanding police excavate a derelict stable block where the teenager’s remains are allegedly buried. She told the Olive Press ‘it’s time to bring her home’, while a former friend insisted he was prepared to dig up the site himself. The plea comes 15 years after the Irish teenager vanished from Mijas Costa on New Year’s Day in 2008. Christine Kenny believes Amy is buried at Mijas’s former Hippodrome race track, after receiving a letter from an anonymous source. “It’s never been dug up and I would plead with the Spanish police to investigate this,” she told the Olive Press. “This is about bringing a child home, giving Amy a proper burial and making those involved in her disappearance responsible.” ALL AREAS The aunt added: COVERED “To this day I can confidently say the site hasn’t 4G UNLIMITED been touched as INTERNET I’ve got a friend watching the IDEAL FOR site.”

SKY + THE DOCTOR +

STREAMING TV ALSO IPTV, SATELLITE TV

Find out on PAGE 10

952 147 834

tel: (0034) 952 763 840 info@theskydoctor.com www.theskydoctor.com

The location is a short 10-minute drive from where she vanished in Riviera del Sol, sparking a long mystery that has pointed the finger at her stepfather. Now a close friend, Alan Quieros, a former expat who grew up in Marbella, insists he is prepared to come over and investigate himself. “When in Spain I’ll be tempted to dig the place up myself,” he told the Olive Press. “It’s not like you would be disturbing any businesses, or homes, it’s a disused racetrack and we’ve been told exactly which stable,” added the taxi company employee. Quieros, now 40, said Amy was ‘like a little sister’ - and the pair had met one night at a party among locals and expats in 2005. “There were a lot of parties and the place was crawling with expats who’d all go to bars and drink and play pool,” he said. The pair developed a close friendship and chatted frequently online when he returned to his home in Broadstairs.

In particular, he confirmed she had fallen into some ‘rough’ company, but he declined to say more due to the threat of ramifications. However, other former friends revealed that she had been introduced to a big local drugs gang via one of her pals.

Suspicious

One told the Olive Press she was ‘being paid by drug dealers’ to sit in a car with them to make them look less suspicious to police. She was allegedly paid €100 each time she sat in the passenger seat next to a Continues on page 2

Opinion Page 6

Tel: 952 147 834

See pages 5 & 10