Spain’s Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo) has declined consent for former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos to appear before the Senate commission investigating the high-profile Koldo case. The court’s decision surprised many, as the request for his attendance came from the Partido Popular, which holds an absolute majority in the Senate. However, Judge Leopoldo Puente ruled that there was not enough time to review the request, which was submitted on January 30 while courts were on procedural recess. The judge did not rule out the possibility of questioning Ábalos in the future but suggested that the initiators should file a new request in advance.
The situation surrounding the former minister is intensifying by the day. Ábalos has been in custody since the end of November last year, and his name continues to dominate the front pages of Spain’s newspapers. The Senate had been awaiting his testimony regarding the procurement of medical masks during the peak of the pandemic, but that appearance is now postponed indefinitely. Nevertheless, the intrigue remains: the judge has not closed the door on a future appearance, simply emphasizing the need to observe procedural deadlines.
Case details
Abalos’s second line of defense was to seek a jury trial. However, the court remained firm. The judge rejected the former minister’s request for a jury, noting that such a procedure does not apply to crimes under the jurisdiction of the Audiencia Nacional. This court originally led the Koldo investigation before part of the case was transferred to the Supreme Court due to Abalos’s status as a deputy.
Anti-corruption prosecutors are seeking a 24-year prison term for the former minister. He is accused of multiple irregularities in the procurement of personal protective equipment during the pandemic. Investigators allege the scheme involved large sums and a network of middlemen, and that Abalos himself was aware of the operation. The defense insists on his innocence, pointing to political motives behind the case.
Parliamentary rights
While the legal battle continues, Abalos’s lawyers have appealed to the Mesa of the Congress of Deputies, requesting a review of the decision to suspend his parliamentary powers. They argue this violates fundamental democratic principles and undermines the rule of law. The issue of restoring the former minister’s rights will be considered by the criminal division of the Supreme Court on January 15.
Debates continue behind the scenes in parliament: some argue that Ábalos should be stripped of all privileges until the investigation is complete, while others believe such measures are premature and could be used for political retribution. In any case, the fate of the former minister remains in the hands of the court, and his name is at the center of public attention.
Political backdrop
The Koldo case has become one of the most high-profile corruption scandals in Spain in recent years. It has implicated not only former officials, but also a number of business entities linked to the supply of medical goods. A Senate committee, launched at the initiative of the Partido Popular, aims to determine who made the multimillion-euro procurement decisions during the state of emergency and how those decisions were taken.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to allow Ábalos to be questioned in the Senate dealt a blow to the opposition’s plans. However, the judge indicated that if the request is filed in time, there will be no obstacles to his appearance. This leaves room for further political maneuvers and intrigue, as the battle for control over the investigation continues.
What’s next?
While Ábalos remains in custody, his lawyers are preparing new motions and politicians are making new statements. His participation in the Senate committee remains uncertain, as does the prospect of a jury trial. One thing is clear: the Koldo case has yet to run its course, and Spanish society is closely watching every twist in the story.
Personally, I believe the court’s sharp reaction to the haste of the request is more than a formality. It’s a signal to all parties: the rules apply to everyone equally, even when high-profile names and political futures are at stake. Still, surprises are more frequent than one would wish in Spanish politics.
