Spain set to exhume the remains of late dictator Francisco Franco, move them to discreet family crypt

Franco ruled Spain between 1939 and 1975 and was buried in a grandiose mausoleum near Madrid

The decision to move his remains has sparked criticism and a legal battle from his family, which was dismissed last month

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The Valle de los Caidos (The Valley of the Fallen), a monument to the Francoist combatants who died during the Spanish civil war and Spain's General Francisco Franco's final resting place. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:01pm, 21 Oct 2019Updated: 8:01pm, 21 Oct 2019

Spain’s Socialist government says it will exhume and relocate the remains of dictator Francisco Franco on Thursday, bringing closer to an end a move that has sparked much criticism and legal battles.

In a statement on Monday, the government said the remains would be taken from the grandiose mausoleum at the Valley of the Fallen complex outside Madrid and moved to Mingorrubio El Pardo, a state cemetery 20km north of the capital, and placed next to those of his wife.

“The exhumation and reburial (of his remains) will be done in an intimate manner with his family present,” justice minister Dolores Delgado said in a statement.

(FILES) This file photo taken on July 03, 2018 shows The grave of Spain's former dictator General Francisco Franco in San Lorenzo del Escorial, near Madrid. Photo: AFP

The government plans to transport the remains over the 35km distance by helicopter. It said it will begin the exhumation operation at 10:30 (08:30 GMT) on Thursday.

The statement said the operation will be a private affair, and the media will be able to witness it from outside.