Investigation expands: new suspects and unexpected twists
A large-scale investigation continues in Almería, focusing on alleged violations in the awarding of public contracts for construction work. The provincial Diputación has come under scrutiny, and now not only current and former officials, but also two brothers of the seated president Javier Aureliano García, are among the suspects. This development has widened the circle of those under investigation to ten people, marking a new phase in the high-profile case that began with the purchase of face masks worth two million euros at the onset of the pandemic.
Investigative actions were not limited to the Diputación. This time, searches were also conducted at the Fines city hall, where mayor Rodrigo Sánchez and his son were detained. Among those arrested are also former Diputación vice president Óscar Liria, the first to be taken into custody in the mask procurement case, along with a technical staff member from the institution. All were taken to the Civil Guard’s station in Almería, where they spent the night in detention.
Political fallout: party responses and new decisions
On Wednesday morning, the detainees, including the president and first vice president of the Diputación, Fernando Giménez, appeared before the court to determine further preventive measures. Giménez and Sánchez had been among the suspects since the outset of the investigation; however, it was only after the latest arrests that the regional branch of the Partido Popular suspended the membership of all politicians implicated in the scandal.
In the evening, the president of the Andalusian regional government, Juan Manuel Moreno, publicly addressed the situation, promising decisive action if corruption is confirmed. He stressed that the party would wait for the court’s decision before taking further steps. Notably, just days before his arrest, García had been appointed to the party’s regional leadership, and shortly before that, attended a public event with Moreno in Balanegra, where one of the halls bears his name.
History and structure of power: how the system took shape
The Diputación of Almería has been under close scrutiny for years over alleged irregularities in contract awards. Most cases involve the company Hispano Almería, which regularly secured tenders across various municipalities in the province. In the past, there have also been accusations of illegal financing of the local branch of the Partido Popular, especially during the tenure of Luis Rogelio Rodríguez-Comendador. Since 1995, except for a brief interruption, the party has maintained control over the Diputación.
According to representatives of anti-corruption organizations, most similar cases have either been closed or stalled due to lengthy investigations and the large number of municipal officials involved. The power structure in the province was built on close ties between the Diputación leadership, local party branches, and municipalities, where the same individuals often held key positions. This allowed for control over the allocation of investments and ensured the loyalty of smaller towns, which experts believe formed the foundation for sustained political influence.
Future prospects: what’s next for those involved and for the region
Until recently, despite numerous investigations, the power structure in Almería remained almost unchanged. Even when there were suspicions of corruption, they rarely led to serious consequences for the leadership. However, the current situation could prove pivotal: for the first time, several high-ranking officials are under investigation simultaneously, and the party has been forced to take tough measures. Those close to the region’s president are already discussing possible staff changes if guilt is proven.
The investigation is ongoing, and its outcome could impact not only the political landscape of Almería but also the approach to oversight of public funds allocation in other regions of Spain. New court decisions are expected in the coming days, which will determine the future of those involved in the case and may potentially lead to further revelations.
