Pedro Varela Geiss
Pedro Varela Geiss | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 9, 1957 Barcelona, Spain |
| Occupation(s) | Author, bookseller |
| Known for | Holocaust denial, former president of CEDADE |
Pedro Varela Geiss (born 9 October 1957) is a Spanish author and bookseller known for his Holocaust denial stance. He formerly operated a Neo-Nazi bookstore in Barcelona, which has since been shut down. Varela identifies as a “National Socialist,” drawing inspiration from Adolf Hitler. He also served as President of the now-defunct Neo-Nazi organization CEDADE, which once included Belgian Nazi collaborator Léon Degrelle among its members.
Biography
A native of Barcelona, Varela assumed the presidency of CEDADE in 1978, during which time he published materials denying the Holocaust. In 1992, he was held in pre-trial detention in Austria for three months due to delivering a Nazi-related speech but was ultimately acquitted. Following the dissolution of CEDADE, he established Libreria Europa in Barcelona, a bookstore that promoted pro-Nazi rhetoric, hosted conferences, and distributed literature advancing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
In 1998, Varela received a five-year prison sentence for endorsing genocide through Holocaust denial publications available at his shop. Later, in 2010, he was sentenced to two years and nine months for spreading genocidal propaganda. After his release on 8 March 2012, he continued managing his bookstore until authorities closed it in July 2016 on charges related to incitement of hatred and racial discrimination.
Personal life
Varela is a father and enjoys mountaineering. He has a particular interest in the compositions of Richard Wagner. Additionally, he practices Roman Catholicism and follows a vegetarian lifestyle.