Olmo Gómez Aldaz's testimony recorded by the International Baltasar Garzón Foundation (FIBGAR) as part of the project «¡Memorízate!-¡Activemos nuestra memoria democrática!». The interview is in Spanish.
Historical memory
In 1971, Micaela Aldaz Ilarregui was deprived of her son, Olmo Gómez Aldaz, who was removed and subsequently adopted without the legitimate and free consent of his parents.
Micaela and Olmo were victims of the same event.
This page brings together their public recognition through the separate registrations of Micaela and Olmo in the State Registry and Census of Victims of the War and Dictatorship, the Declaration of Recognition and Personal Reparation issued by the Government of Spain to Olmo, and the Gogora resolution.
On this page
The recognised history
In 1971, Micaela Aldaz Ilarregui was deprived of her son, Olmo Gómez Aldaz, who was removed and subsequently adopted without the legitimate and free consent of his parents. The alteration of his filiation was entered in the Civil Registry as though it were a regular and definitive situation, and for decades concealed the removal and the separation of mother and son.
The history began to come to light through personal investigation, DNA testing and judicial proceedings that culminated in the judgments of 2024 and 2025. They determined Olmo Gómez Aldaz's filiation by nature and the coexistence of that filiation with adoptive filiation, with full civil effects.
The book DOGA 2025: The Battle for My Identity documents the personal, historical and legal recovery. The administrative recognitions now bring that history into public memory and recognise its two direct victims.
State Registry and Census of Victims · Micaela Aldaz Ilarregui and her son Olmo Gómez Aldaz
On 8 September 2026, the Directorate-General for Victim Support approved the registration of Micaela Aldaz Ilarregui in the State Registry and Census of Victims of the War and Dictatorship.
The resolution recognises that in 1971 she was deprived of her son, born in Bilbao on 25 July of that year, who was removed and subsequently adopted without the legitimate and free consent of his parents. It also recognises that this deprivation constituted a personal and direct harm suffered by her.
Resolution registering her in the State Registry and Census of Victims
“The deprivation of her son constitutes a personal and direct harm suffered by her.”Zoraida Hijosa Valdizán
Director-General for Victim Support
Resolution of 8 September 2026
File: 532-984745
On 18 September 2026, the Directorate-General for Victim Support also approved the registration of her son, Olmo Gómez Aldaz, in the State Registry and Census of Victims of the War and Dictatorship, by an individual resolution (file 26DGMD-0621).
View the resolutions of registration in the State Census (PDF):
Micaela Aldaz Ilarregui
Olmo Gómez Aldaz
Government of Spain · Olmo Gómez Aldaz
On 19 February 2026, the Government of Spain issued a Declaration of Recognition and Personal Reparation in favour of Olmo Gómez Aldaz under Law 20/2022 on Democratic Memory.
The declaration establishes that he suffered persecution during the Franco dictatorship, that in 1971 he was removed and adopted without the legitimate and free consent of his parents, and that he must be considered a victim.
Declaration of Recognition and Personal Reparation
“in 1971 he was removed and adopted without the legitimate and free consent of his parents.”
“it has been established that […] he suffered persecution for political and ideological reasons during the Franco dictatorship.”
“his circumstances qualify him as a ‘victim’ under Article 3.1 of Law 20/2022.”Ángel Víctor Torres Pérez
Minister for Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory
19 February 2026
File: 523-950967
DRRP. Book 1 – Number 4918
On 28 July 2026, the Directorate-General for Victim Support confirmed that this was the only state declaration granted to a person removed, separated or handed over at birth without the free and legitimate consent of their parents.
View the state public-information access decision (PDF)
Basque Government · Olmo Gómez Aldaz
Gogora is the Institute for Memory, Coexistence and Human Rights of the Basque Government.
Its Resolution of 6 July 2026 recognises Olmo Gómez Aldaz as a victim of the military coup and the Franco dictatorship under Law 9/2023 on Historical and Democratic Memory of the Basque Country.
It expressly applies the legal category of minors removed from their parents and delivered for adoption without their consent.
Gogora Resolution
“Minors who were removed from their biological parents and delivered to adoptive fathers and mothers without the consent of their parents.”
“To recognise Mr Olmo Gómez Aldaz as a victim under Article 4.2.l of Law 9/2023 of 28 September on Historical and Democratic Memory of the Basque Country.”Alberto Alonso Martín
Director of the Institute for Memory, Coexistence and Human Rights
Resolution of 6 July 2026
Electronically signed on 8 July 2026
El Correo reported on 15 July 2026 that it was the first time the Basque Country had granted a recognition of this kind. The recognition of Olmo was therefore the first and only one granted by Gogora under the specific category in Article 4.2.l.
View the El Correo coverage and documentary page
What these recognitions mean
The judgments of 2024 and 2025 determined Olmo Gómez Aldaz's filiation by nature. Historical memory recognitions address a different question: what happened in 1971 and the institutional position taken regarding those events.
The state declaration and the Gogora resolution recognise Olmo as a victim. The State Census registration resolutions recognise both Micaela and Olmo as victims of the same events in 1971, and Micaela's resolution establishes the personal and direct harm caused by being deprived of her son. These are four official documents concerning the same history and its two direct victims.
These recognitions complement the judicial path and have their own institutional meaning. By themselves, they do not change the adoption in force, establish criminal liability or automatically create a right to compensation.
Official PDF documents
Resolution of 8 September 2026 registering Micaela Aldaz Ilarregui in the State Registry and Census of Victims of the War and Dictatorship.
Resolution signed on 18 September 2026 registering Olmo Gómez Aldaz in the State Registry and Census of Victims of the War and Dictatorship.
Declaration of Recognition and Personal Reparation issued by the Government of Spain on 19 February 2026 in favour of Olmo Gómez Aldaz.
Gogora Resolution of 6 July 2026 recognising Olmo Gómez Aldaz as a victim.