A major corruption scandal has erupted in the province of Almería: officers from the Guardia Civil have detained seven people, including the president and vice-president of the local Diputación. They are suspected of involvement in a complex scheme to receive illegal kickbacks from public contracts for construction and supplies.
Corruption probe leads to new arrests
The investigation has focused on suspicious deals signed with several companies linked to those involved in the case. The inquiry began back in 2021, when former vice-president of the Diputación Óscar Liria was detained. At the time, the case involved bribes of up to €400,000 connected to a medical supplies contract worth two million euros. The company awarded the contract, Azor Corporate Ibérica, belongs to Kilian López, who is also under investigation for drug trafficking and illegal arms trading.
Since then, the investigation has only widened. This week, officers detained seven more people, including current president Javier Aureliano García and vice-president Fernando Giménez. Among those arrested were also the mayor of Fines, Rodrigo Sánchez Simón — Liria’s uncle — as well as his son. Five of them were released but remain under investigation.
Kickback schemes and suspicious contracts
According to investigators, the suspects established a network of companies through which fictitious tenders were conducted and large sums of money were distributed. The case materials include messenger conversations between Liria and Jiménez, discussing percentages from illegal commissions, as well as group chats with the president of the Diputación. This indicates a high level of trust among the scheme’s participants.
Particular attention is being paid to contracts for construction and medical supplies awarded at the height of the pandemic. Liria insisted on working with Azor, a company linked to the mayor of Fines’s family. During searches, authorities discovered large amounts of cash and luxury items whose origins have raised questions during the investigation.
Implications for authorities and next steps in the investigation
Following the arrests, responsibility for the province temporarily shifted to Ángel Escobar. The local branch of the ruling party has not yet commented on the situation. In the near future, the detainees are expected to appear in court, where decisions will be made regarding their further detention.
The investigation is ongoing, and in the coming weeks new individuals may be implicated. Law enforcement is focusing on the connections between companies involved in the tenders and the suspects’ relatives. Possible instances of money laundering and acceptance of expensive gifts without disclosed origin are also under scrutiny.
