On Monday, November 3, Madrid will see the start of a trial already being called one of the most talked-about legal cases in recent Spanish history. Seated in the defendant’s dock will be Álvaro García Ortiz, the country’s Attorney General. He stands accused of disclosing confidential information—an offense that could have serious consequences not only for him personally, but for the entire prosecution system.
The hearings will continue until November 13 and are set to take place in an intensive format—two sessions daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. It is already known that more than forty witnesses will testify, including representatives from the prosecution, journalists, politicians, law enforcement officials, and even figures involved in other high-profile cases. Special attention is focused on the participation of Alberto González Amador, an entrepreneur and partner of the head of Madrid’s government, as well as her chief of staff, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez.
On the first day of hearings, prosecutor Julián Salto, who previously launched the investigation into tax fraud involving González Amador, is expected to speak. He will be followed by the heads of the Madrid prosecutor’s office and the autonomous community, as well as García Ortiz’s closest aides. On the second day, the key figures will be the chief of staff to Madrid’s president and the lawyer representing the defendant in the tax case. Their testimonies could prove decisive, as the defense maintains that the information leak was initiated by the lawyer, not by the prosecutor general himself.
In the following days, the court will hear from former high-ranking officials, prominent journalists, and Civil Guard officers. Some media representatives claim they gained access to the disputed information even before it reached the prosecutor’s office. This could significantly influence the course of the case and the prosecution’s stance.
García Ortiz himself will testify on the penultimate day of the hearings, exercising his right to speak after all witnesses. This order was established by the court in 2023 and now applies to all defendants. The final arguments from both sides are scheduled for November 13, when the judges will hear the closing statements from the prosecution and the defense.
The composition of the court is impressive: the panel includes seven judges, most of whom have already participated in earlier stages of this case. Among them are representatives of both the conservative and progressive wings of the Spanish judiciary. This adds extra intrigue to the proceedings and highlights their significance for the entire country.
Attention to this case remains high: at stake is not only the fate of one of Spain’s most influential lawyers, but also public trust in the office of the prosecutor. The outcome of these hearings could set a precedent for future cases involving the disclosure of official secrets and the relationship between government, the media, and law enforcement.
