Spanish lawmakers vote to limit justice law

MADRID — Spanish lawmakers have voted to reduce the scope of a cross-border justice law that has previously been used to indict Augusto Pinochet and Osama bin Laden.

The ruling Socialist party and opposition conservatives made a rare show of unity to pass the measure today in the lower chamber of parliament. The measure now goes to the Senate, where passage is expected.

Under the new law, Spanish judges will only be able to pursue so-called universal justice cases if there are Spanish victims or the alleged perpetrators are in Spain.

The reform follows complaints from countries such as Israel that are being investigated by judges at Spain’s National Court.