A major corruption scandal has erupted in Almería: Civil Guard officers have arrested five people, including the president and vice president of the provincial administration. They are suspected of illegal actions related to a contract for the supply of medical goods at the height of the pandemic.
Among those detained are provincial head Javier Aureliano García and his deputy Fernando Giménez, as well as the mayor of Fines, Rodrigo Sánchez Simón. The operation was carried out in complete secrecy, with searches conducted in the homes of the suspects.
Millions in mask deals and suspicious connections
Investigators believe the officials could have received illegal commissions ranging from 200,000 to 400,000 euros for arranging a contract to supply masks, protective suits, and gloves worth about two million euros. The contract was signed in April 2020 with Azor Corporate Ibérica, a company owned by Kilian López, who had previously come under law enforcement scrutiny for drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and money laundering.
The case also involves former vice president for urban planning Óscar Liria, who, according to investigators, played a key role in organizing the deal. His relative is the mayor of Fines, adding even more intrigue to the story. In total, 17 people are implicated in the case, and interrogations have been ongoing for almost four years.
Questionable correspondence and poor-quality supplies
The case materials include correspondence between those involved, discussing gifts and details of the deal. In particular, the issue of a television was raised, which, according to one of the suspects, was just a joke. The messages also mention delays in deliveries and quality problems—some of the masks were defective, and delivery deadlines were missed.
In June 2021, the provincial administration terminated its contract with Azor over violations. However, after negotiations, the claims against the supplier were reduced from several hundred thousand euros to 38,000. Investigators believe that the then vice president may have been involved, allegedly helping to settle the issue in the company’s favor.
Investigation ongoing
The mask procurement scandal in Almería is escalating. Investigators continue to track financial flows and links between officials and businesses. New details are expected soon, and the number of people implicated may grow. Meanwhile, residents of the region are watching the story unfold with surprise, questioning the transparency of local authorities.
