Spanish Supreme Court jails ex-minister Ábalos pending trial in pandemic corruption case

Spain's Supreme Court has ordered former transport minister José Luis Ábalos and his former adviser Koldo García Izaguirre into pre-trial detention without bail, citing what it described as an "extreme" flight risk.

Ábalos – who was a key political ally of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez – is accused, along with Koldo García, of involvement in a corruption scheme related to public contracts for medical supplies during the pandemic.

The charges under consideration include membership of a criminal organization, bribery, misuse of privileged information, influence peddling, and embezzlement.

Prosecutors are seeking 24 years in prison for Ábalos, and 19.5 years for Koldo García.

Ábalos and Koldo García are set to be transferred to Soto del Real prison, near Madrid.

Significant shift 

Judge Puente's decision reflects a shift in position by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. 

In October, prosecutors had not requested pre-trial detention for either defendant, though private accusers had.

Now, in Ábalos’s case, the prosecution is seeking 24 years in prison, 46 years of disqualification from public office, and a €3.9 million fine.

For Koldo García, prosecutors are requesting 19.5 years in prison and a €3.9 million fine.

Parliamentary arithmetic gets tougher for Sánchez

Although expelled from the Socialists, Ábalos remains a sitting MP, and has voted in line with his former colleagues in government.

On Thursday, Congress sent a formal request to the Supreme Court asking for official confirmation of the decision to place Ábalos in provisional detention, in order to begin the procedure to suspend him.

Once suspended, Ábalos will not be able to vote or participate in any of the chamber's activities, nor will he receive a salary.

Without Ábalos, the Socialists will fall one vote short of a majority whenever the seven MPs of pro-independence Junts abstain, with the government and its allies totalling 171 votes, exactly the same as the combined total of the conservative People's Party and far-right Vox.

In the event of a tie, Congress holds a second vote. If a tie occurs three times, the motion being voted on is deemed rejected.

Socialists stress "zero tolerance"

The Socialists expressed their "respect" for Judge Leopoldo Puente's decision to imprison former party secretary Ábalos, calling it "another step in a judicial process that has our full respect."

The party stressed it has acted with "zero tolerance" toward "any indication of corruption."