A new round of scandal is unfolding in Almería over the investigation into the procurement of medical masks for the local diputación. Judge María Belén López, who heads Instructional Court No. 1, has unexpectedly filed a request to withdraw from the case. The reason cited is a personal and family connection to Javier Aureliano García, the former president of the provincial administration and a key suspect in the investigation. This decision has automatically halted all procedural actions in the case until a new judge is appointed.
López, who had been on medical leave for over a year and a half, was due to resume her duties at the end of November. However, on her first day back, she officially declared she could not continue to participate in the investigation. It was revealed that López and García are distant relatives and both hail from the municipality of Balanegra. Now, the provincial panel of judges will consider her request for recusal and decide whether to assign the case to a different magistrate.
Investigation put on hold: what we know so far
While the judges decide who will take over the case, the investigation is effectively frozen. The judge who requested to withdraw has no authority to take any action on the case files. This means that all procedural steps, including potential interrogations and new arrests, are temporarily impossible.
Before López went on leave, the investigation was led by another judge—Eduardo Martínez Gamero. He was the one who signed the order that led to the arrest of García and several other individuals last week. Upon López’s return, she was expected to resume work on the case; however, her refusal has put the investigation on hold.
Suspects and the Nature of the Charges
At the center of the investigation are suspicions of illegal schemes in awarding contracts for the supply of medical masks worth around two million euros. Investigators believe that former president of the diputación, García, was aware of what was happening and played a role in distributing the funds. The case files include encrypted correspondence between participants, where dental terminology was used to refer to bribes and cash.
The investigation originally began in Barcelona, where authorities examined the actions of Kilian López, who had secured a major contract to supply medical materials. However, this line of inquiry was closed in March 2023. The current focus is on possible corruption schemes within Almería itself.
Next Steps and Expectations
For now, the case remains in limbo; the future of the investigation depends on the decision of the provincial court. If López’s recusal is approved, the materials will be handed over to another judge, who will resume work. Until then, any further action on the case is stalled.
The mask procurement scandal in Almería has already drawn public attention and raised questions about the transparency of local authorities. With the appointment of a new judge, the investigation is expected to resume, putting those involved back in the spotlight.
