Spain's Supreme Court on Monday sentenced former transport minister José Luis Ábalos to 24 years in prison for corruption in a case involving public procurement of medical supplies during the pandemic. His former advisor Koldo García received 19 years, and the cooperating businessman Víctor de Aldama received a lighter sentence. SITA ↗
The verdict is the first final ruling in a major corruption case reaching into Pedro Sánchez's government. Ábalos was once one of his closest associates, and according to the indictment, he obtained benefits in exchange for awarding contracts for the purchase of millions of face masks. Following the verdict, the opposition is demanding Sánchez's resignation and the calling of elections. El Mundo ↗
Pressure on the government is also mounting over the case of Begoña Gómez. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has opened court proceedings against the prime minister's wife, banned her from leaving the country, ordered her to surrender her passport, and imposed an obligation to appear before the court twice a month. Gómez faces allegations of corruption, influence peddling, and embezzlement. At the same time, the Judicial Council has referred Peinado's statements for review of possible disciplinary proceedings. seznamzpravy.cz ↗
In the background remains the case of former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who denies exerting influence to save the company Plus Ultra. Sánchez stated that he had been in contact with him and expressed his support. The government also faces uncertainty over the budget, the Socialists' primaries, and the stance of its coalition partners. After a brief episode connected to Pope Leo XIV, Spanish politics is thus once again heading into a phase in which court cases are intertwined with the question of how much longer the government will last. teraz.sk ↗
Ábalos sentenced to 24 years, pressure on Sánchez keeps growing
This summary was generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies. Please verify information in the original sources below.
Sources (4)
Španielsky exminister Ábalos dostal 24 rokov väzenia za korupciu, tlak na premiéra Sáncheza rastie
SITA
| 13:59 22.06.
KAUZA KORUPCIE V ŠPANIELSKU: Exminister pôjde do väzenia na 24 rokov
teraz.sk
| 14:08 22.06.
Feijóo exige la dimisión de Sánchez y la convocatoria de elecciones: "Es el responsable político de la corrupción de sus ministros en ejercicio"
El Mundo
| 13:43 22.06.
El Supremo condena a 24 años de prisión a Ábalos y a 19 Koldo García y premia la colaboración de Aldama con la Justicia
El Mundo
| 12:16 22.06.
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