Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Brother Disqualified for Nine Years over Corruption
An Extremadura court has sentenced David Sánchez, brother of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to nine years' disqualification for an administrative misuse of office case related to a tailor-made public position.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Brother Disqualified for Nine Years over Corruption
A court in the Spanish region of Extremadura has sentenced David Sánchez, brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to nine years' disqualification from holding public office and loss of passive voting rights, according to Courthouse News Service. The ruling, handed down on Tuesday, found him guilty of administrative misuse of office but acquitted him of the charge of abuse of influence, which could have led to imprisonment.
The judges determined that the position of music conservatory coordinator in Badajoz province was created unlawfully "to serve the private interest of its holder rather than the public interest". According to the court's decision, the post "was neither necessary nor urgent". Subsequently, that position was converted into the head of the performing arts office in the province.
David Sánchez, a composer and orchestra conductor who has worked in Saint Petersburg, Toulouse, Tokyo and Madrid, remained in the post until at least early 2025. Prosecutors claim the position was created in 2016, before Pedro Sánchez became Prime Minister in 2018, although it was under the authority of the Socialist Party, to which the Prime Minister belongs. The post fell under the provincial council of Badajoz, which was then governed by the Socialists.
The court found David Sánchez complicit in the unlawful creation of the post. The ruling notes that "such unethical practices damage democratic institutions and foster corruption and unequal opportunities".
The case originated following a complaint by Manos Limpias, a self-styled anti-corruption group with far-right links. David Sánchez was tried alongside ten other defendants.
Government spokeswoman Elma Saiz stated that they trust that "the higher courts will confirm David Sánchez's innocence, which is what we believe". Meanwhile, Transport Minister Óscar Puente claimed that the case is part of a broader attempt to bring down the executive "through an inability to do so at the ballot box".
This sentence adds to a series of corruption investigations involving people close to Pedro Sánchez that have raised questions about the viability of his minority left-wing coalition. Last month, his former trusted aide José Luis Ábalos was sentenced to 24 years in prison for corruption. The Prime Minister's wife, Begoña Gómez, is being investigated for alleged abuse of influence. Former Socialist President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, an ally of Sánchez, was also placed under investigation for alleged abuse of influence linked to illegal commissions.
Source: Courthouse News Service