Spanish officer who led 1981 coup dies on day documents declassified

"Photographs of Tejero wearing the tricorn patent leather hat of the Guardia Civil and brandishing a pistol at MPs on 23 February 1981 are among the most indelible images of Spain's young democracy."

"It cost me my career and my freedom, but despite that I don't regret having tried, he told an interviewer five years ago."

"Antonio Tejero, who died aged 93, was part of a network of rightwing police and military officers whose efforts to seize power were thwarted after King Juan Carlos refused to support the coup and ordered the generals to obey the democratic constitutional order."

Antonio Tejero, a Spanish Guardia Civil officer, died aged 93 on the same day the socialist government declassified 153 documents related to the failed 1981 coup attempt. Tejero led armed followers into Congress on 23 February 1981 in an effort to overthrow Spain's post-Franco democracy. King Juan Carlos refused to support the coup and ordered generals to obey the constitutional order, thwarting the attempt. Tejero received a 30-year sentence but was released after serving 15 years. He remained unrepentant about his actions, stating he did not regret attempting the coup despite losing his career and freedom. Tejero also protested the 2019 exhumation of Franco's remains.

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