The Supreme Court of Spain has taken an unexpected step in the high-profile case involving former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos. Judge Leopoldo Puente has ruled to split the investigation into two parts to expedite the trial of the key episodes. Now, materials related to suspicious contracts for mask supplies at the height of the pandemic will be considered separately from episodes involving alleged schemes in the awarding of government construction contracts.
The first part of the case, which is already nearing completion, centers on allegations of illegal procurement contracts for personal protective equipment. Investigators believe Ábalos, his former adviser Koldo García, and businessman Víctor de Aldama may have profited from these deals. The second part of the investigation is just beginning and focuses on possible violations in the allocation of major construction projects, with former party official Santos Cerdán and several businessmen from the construction sector also among the suspects.
The court plans to bring the first part of the case to trial as early as autumn 2025. However, the process could be delayed if further expert analysis is required or if new circumstances arise following the financial report on Ábalos’s transactions. It remains unclear whether additional investigative actions will be needed, as the inquiry is ongoing and may uncover new details.
Among the suspects in the cases involving government contracts are not only politicians but also business representatives. The investigation identifies two groups: one connected to major contracts involving Acciona Construcción, and another linked to smaller, yet equally suspicious deals allegedly involving Abalos, Koldo García, and Víctor de Aldama. The first part of the case also examines instances of people being appointed to government positions where, as it turned out, they performed no actual duties but still received salaries.
The court proceedings promise to become one of the most high-profile cases in modern Spanish history. Attention is drawn not only by the scale of the alleged violations but also by the high status of those involved. The first hearings in this case—already described as one of the most significant corruption scandals in recent years—are expected to take place in the autumn.
