Supreme Court imposes harsh prison sentences on three main defendants in 'masks case'
The Supreme Court has issued a ruling in the so-called 'masks case', condemning the three main implicated parties to sentences totalling nearly half a century in prison.
Supreme Court imposes harsh prison sentences on three main defendants in 'masks case'
The Supreme Court has issued a ruling in the so-called 'masks case', condemning the three main implicated parties to sentences totalling nearly half a century in prison.
José Luis Ábalos, former Transport Minister and Secretary of Organisation of the PSOE, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison. Koldo García, former ministry adviser, receives a sentence of 19 years. Víctor de Aldama, an entrepreneur considered the ringleader of the scheme, must serve 4 years in custody.
The Second Chamber of the high court resolved on Tuesday the cassation appeal filed against the National Court's ruling. The decision confirms the existence of a criminal organisation dedicated to corruption in the acquisition of medical material during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The scheme, according to the judicial investigation, made use of the structure of the Transport Ministry to obtain lucrative contracts irregularly. The accused allegedly used their position to favour certain companies in the purchase of masks and other protective equipment, in the midst of the health crisis.
The National Court had already issued convictions in first instance, which the Supreme Court now confirms in broad lines. The sentence of the court of first instance found proven the offences of criminal organisation, bribery, embezzlement and trading in influence.
The 'masks case' became one of the most notorious corruption scandals in recent years in Spain. The investigation uncovered a network that operated from the ministry itself to obtain unlawful benefits taking advantage of the health emergency.
Source: Legal Today
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)