The final Semana Santa procession in Nerja went off without any hitches, a colourful affair with the penitents dressed in their red and white costumes. And it was an expecially happy time for one participant in particular.
Miguel A.J. was the happy man. Last February, the 52 year old local resident and father of three was sentenced to two years and ten days in Alhaurín de la Torre prison after being convicted of crimes against the public health, but thanks to the local ‘cofradia’ (brotherhood) he became a free man again.
The freeing, or pardoning, of a ‘third grade’ prisoner on Resurrection Sunday is a ‘rite’ dating back to 1756 and this is the third year in a row that the Cofradia de Jesús Resucitado have exercised this option. Unlike in previous years, however, the released prisoner chose to participate in the parade without hiding his face.