The Supreme Court of Spain (Tribunal Supremo) has announced its intention to bring charges against former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos, his former advisor Koldo García, and businessman Víctor de Aldama. The case stems from irregularities uncovered in contracts for mask supplies during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigators believe that a group of officials and businesspeople may have exploited their positions for personal gain. According to the court, the former minister allegedly gave the businessman preferential access to government contracts, allowing him to make substantial profits. In return, officials are suspected of receiving illicit payments.
The investigation revealed that the scheme was organized through close associates, including the businessman’s brother, who worked at the Ministry of Transport. Prosecutors allege that he helped establish the necessary connections and coordinated actions among those involved. Case documents also note that as early as 2019, the suspects took a joint trip to Mexico, which may have been when they first conceived the idea of exploiting official contacts for personal enrichment.
The judge has split the investigation into two parts: one concerns the procurement of medical supplies, and the other focuses on potential fraud involving government construction contracts. The second part of the case is still in its early stages, but the incidents linked to the pandemic are already close to going to trial. According to the court, there is enough evidence to proceed with legal action.
The charges include corruption, involvement in a criminal organization, abuse of power, and embezzlement of public funds. If found guilty, the defendants face serious prison sentences. The case has sparked widespread public outcry, as it involves misconduct during a period when the country was in the midst of a severe pandemic crisis and relied on swift, honest action from government institutions.
