Guardia Civil 'incursions' soar

(Photo: vox.gi)

GIBRALTAR (GibChronicle / Brian Reyes) The number of incursions by Guardia Civil vessels into Gibraltar waters skyrocketed over the past two years, according to statistical data released to Parliament. Spanish state vessels, in common with all other ships, are allowed to sail through British territorial waters in what is known as the right of innocent passage. But if they linger too long or try to exercise jurisdiction, their presence is regarded as an incursion. Between 2002 and 2008, there were just 33 incursions recorded by the authorities in Gibraltar, according to date released by the Gibraltar Government in response to Opposition questions in Parliament. In 2009, there were none. But after that year, the pattern changed dramatically. (Read the whole story here).