MARICARMEN ABASCAL, WHOSE EVICTION SPARKED PROTESTS, DIES

MADRID, OCTOBER 7 /SRNA/ - Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who was evicted from her Madrid apartment after 56 years, died today, the Madrid Tenants' Association said.

Her eviction sparked demonstrations that spread from Madrid to other parts of Spain.

Abascal had been in hospital since September 23, when she was evicted from the apartment where she had lived since 1956.

She died after her family, lawyer and the Tenants' Association had reached an agreement that would have allowed her to return to the apartment after leaving hospital.

Her family had lived in the apartment since 1956, and after her parents died, Abascal continued renting it under the old lease for about 500 euros a month.

After the apartment was acquired by investment fund Urbagestion, legal action was taken to terminate the old lease, meaning that to remain in the apartment, Abascal would have had to sign a new agreement at a much higher rent.

Spanish media initially reported that her monthly rent would rise to 2,650 euros and later to 1,650 euros, although her pension was around 1,300 euros.