MADRID – Spain’s Supreme Court heard closing arguments in one of the most significant corruption trials in years on Wednesday, piling pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Over four weeks, judges examined an alleged kickback-for-contract scheme involving former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos, his aide Koldo García and businessman Víctor de Aldama.
The case centres on suspected irregularities in public procurement during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly the purchase of medical masks.
Dubbed the “Koldo case”, the probe has become a major political liability for Sánchez, who came to power pledging to tackle corruption. It also touches the Ministry of Transport, one of Spain’s largest-spending ministries and a major recipient of EU funds.
Alleged criminal network
At the heart of the investigation are the multimillion-euro contracts awarded in 2020 to Aldama’s company, Soluciones de Gestión, which recorded €54 million in gains that year, despite having no revenue in 2019.
On Wednesday, chief anti-corruption prosecutor Alejandro Luzón delivered his closing remarks, detailing how the three defendants built a “personal relationship” to pursue “lucrative opportunities.”
The scheme, the prosecutor said, effectively acted as a criminal organisation, with each member holding a distinct role in a clear hierarchy in which the minister was referred to as “the boss”.
Aldama provided “huge sums of money” to gain influence as well as contracts, privileged information and meetings, which the minister ultimately greenlit, with García “doing the groundwork”, Luzón said.
“The minister is the one with the influence, the one who opens the doors,” Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Balas of the Civil Guard told the court. “That’s why he charges what he charges. And when he demands payment, they pay him.”
The three defendants face charges including membership of a criminal organisation, bribery, influence peddling and embezzlement.
Testimonies
One after another, the defendants denied wrongdoing, particularly rejecting any role in awarding the largest €24 million mask contract.
“I didn’t deal with anyone,” Ábalos, held in detention with García, said during his testimony on Monday. He also denied receiving kickbacks.
Aldama, however, told the court last week he had delivered between €3.5 million and €4 million in kickbacks to Ábalos and Garcia over several years, sometimes in cash-filled envelopes or through gifts such as travel, property and vehicles.
“I was carrying between €50,000 and €60,000 … in an envelope,” he said, adding that he sometimes delivered up to €250,000 to the ministry headquarters.
The proceedings also highlighted discrepancies in the former minister’s finances. Prosecutors questioned how Ábalos could sustain significant spending – up to €400,000 in two years – without withdrawing cash over several years. But Ábalos insisted his assets are fully traceable.
“You haven’t found any accounts, money or funds belong to me?” he asked the chief prosecutor, laughing. “You have nothing against me … you can’t just hide millions of euros.”
“You can spend it though,” Luzón replied.
Bombshell evidence
It was businessman Víctor de Aldama’s testimony that sent shockwaves through Madrid.
Pledging to cooperate with investigators to avoid prison he alleged that kickbacks largely stemmed from rigged public works tenders – a separate probe being examined by the National Court of Spain, in which the three defendants are also implicated.
The same court is also investigating alleged illegal financing of the Socialist party, citing findings from the Civil Guard’s UCO unit and Aldama’s testimony that cash payments were funnelled to Sánchez’s Socialist party (PSOE) headquarters.
“Koldo asked me for money for the party,” Aldama said, referring to the period when José Luis Ábalos served as party organisation secretary. He also claimed Sánchez was “fully aware” – allegations the PSOE dismissed as “baseless”.
Verdict pending
Prosecutors are seeking a 24-year sentence for former minister Ábalos, alongside 19.5 and seven years for Koldo García and Víctor de Aldama respectively, with possible leniency for the latter due to his cooperation.
“Political corruption is eating away at our democratic system,” Luzón, the chief public prosecutor said. “Only decisive action can stop it.”
A ruling is expected in the coming weeks.
(cm, cs, vc)
Source:
www.euractiv.com