A high-profile court case has erupted in Spain involving the major metallurgical company Sidenor. The National Court has launched an investigation into the head of the company, José Antonio Jainaga Gómez, and two other top executives. They are suspected of illegally exporting steel from Spain to Israel, where it may have been used in the production of weapons.
Investigators became interested after learning that the steel had been sent to Israel Military Industries (IMSI), a company specializing in producing various types of weaponry. According to the court, Sidenor’s management was aware of the final destination of the products but failed to secure the necessary export permits and did not register the transaction with the relevant government authorities. This led to suspicions of violations of export regulations and potential involvement in more serious offenses.
Judge Francisco de Jorge, who is presiding over the case, pointed out that developments in the Gaza Strip are widely discussed in society and by international organizations. Case documents note that Israel’s actions in the region have already been preliminarily classified as potential crimes against humanity. As a result, Spanish authorities are looking not only at smuggling episodes but also at possible complicity in crimes against humanity or even genocide.
The case came to light after the judge lifted the confidentiality order on the materials, allowing the parties to review the details. Soon, the defendants will have to appear in court to testify. In addition to the Sidenor management, the investigation is also focusing on Clerbil S.L., which manages Sidenor Holdings Europa. Investigators continue to analyze documents and the circumstances of the deal to determine whether international or national regulations were violated.
