Spain’s Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for November 27 to decide the fate of former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and his ex-advisor Koldo García. Both are currently subject to temporary restrictions imposed as part of an investigation into a large-scale corruption scheme related to the procurement of medical masks at the height of the pandemic.
Restrictions and Charges: What We Know So Far
Ábalos and García are currently required to regularly report to court, are prohibited from leaving the country, and have had their passports confiscated. These measures were imposed after the anti-corruption prosecutor demanded lengthy prison sentences—24 years for the former minister and 19.5 years for his advisor. Investigators allege that both were involved in fraudulent contracts for the supply of personal protective equipment to the Ministry of Transport.
Despite repeated requests from the prosecution to place the suspects in pre-trial detention, Judge Leopoldo Puente has so far denied these motions. However, in October, he noted that the risk of flight increases as the trial date approaches. His statement has prompted renewed discussions about tightening the precautionary measures.
The Trial Gains Momentum
In early November, the judge proposed holding not only Ábalos and García accountable, but also the intermediary Víctor de Aldama, who, according to investigators, also participated in the corruption scheme. Following this, the prosecution and joint plaintiffs submitted their indictments, demanding the maximum prison terms for all those involved.
These documents also include a request for a separate hearing regarding preventive measures. This session is scheduled for the end of November. The possibility of pre-trial detention is once again on the table, as the lengthy prison sentences sought are traditionally seen as heightening the risk of flight.
Key intrigue: the prosecutor’s stance
It remains unclear whether the prosecution will insist on the immediate arrest of Ábalos and García. Prosecutors representing public interests have already stated their intention to again demand they be taken into custody. So far, however, the judge has relied on the prosecutor’s position, and it is their decision that may prove decisive in this case.
The hearing on November 27 is expected to become a turning point for all parties involved. If the preventive measures are changed, the accused could be taken into custody immediately. Otherwise, they will remain free until the main trial begins.
The controversy over the mask procurement case remains one of the most talked-about topics in Spain, and the court’s decision could set a precedent for similar investigations in the future.
