Mayor of Algeciras rejects sexual assault allegations before Supreme Court
José Ignacio Landaluce, mayor of Algeciras and former PP senator, firmly denies fresh sexual assault allegations presented to the Supreme Court and announces his continuation in office.
Mayor's public defence
According to ABC, José Ignacio Landaluce, mayor of Algeciras and former PP senator, has addressed the public via social media to reject a new complaint alleging sexual assault presented to the Supreme Court. The alleged facts date from between 2020 and 2021, and according to the lawsuit, they would have occurred in a medical centre of which he is the owner and in municipal facilities.
In a video posted on social media, Landaluce is categorical regarding his innocence. "I flatly and categorically deny what has been reported," he states, and stresses that he will act "with all the means available to me under the rule of law" to defend his reputation.
Legal procedure and presumption of innocence
The mayor has indicated that his legal defence will request access to the brief submitted to the Supreme Court in order to learn the full contents of the accusation. Landaluce has emphasised that, based on the information available to him, the complaint has not yet been admitted to proceedings by the court.
"I ask that my presumption of innocence be respected," he stated. "Let the courts, not newspaper headlines, nor parallel trials, be the ones to determine the facts." The mayor recalled that months ago he was already subject to another complaint filed by the Socialist Party that was also not admitted to proceedings by the Supreme Court.
Stance on potential damages
Landaluce has assured that he will not anticipate the outcome of the proceedings, but has made clear that he will defend himself judicially and that, if appropriate, he will claim liability for damages and losses he considers he has suffered. "I am not going to speculate about who might be behind this complaint or their motivations," he stated.
The mayor has insisted that "not everything goes in politics" and that no controversy should become a "prejudgement". He has stressed that his honour, his family and his personal record "deserve respect" and that he has the right to defend them.
Political commitment and future elections
Landaluce has announced that he will maintain his commitment to the city and its citizens with the same dedication as until now. "I will not allow accusations I flatly deny to divert me from this commitment," he stated. "I trust in justice, I will defend myself where it is proper, before the courts, and I will put at their disposal everything necessary to prove the falsity of this complaint."
The mayor has clarified that he will continue working "with the same dedication, with the same affection and with the same desire to improve the lives of my neighbours" over the coming ten months. He has confirmed his intention to stand again in municipal elections and has asked the people of Algeciras to assess his management at that time.
Source: ABC