Businessman from El Puerto de Santa María released following appeal in money-laundering case
R.L., arrested in July in a Guardia Civil operation against drug money laundering in El Puerto, is released on bail after his lawyer's appeal succeeds.
Port businessman leaves prison after defence appeal accepted
Google News ES — Crime (es) reports that the businessman identified as R.L., arrested in July as part of a Guardia Civil operation against money laundering from drug trafficking proceeds in El Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz), has been released following the judge at court number 5 of the Civil and Investigating Section of the Court of First Instance of El Puerto accepting the appeal presented on 18 August by his lawyer, José María Del Nido.
Del Nido explained to Europa Press that the economic crime attributed to his client "has nothing to do with the public health offence", and stressed that, consequently, it would not be linked to a money-laundering crime of illicit origin that could carry sentences "higher and more severe". The money-laundering crime, for which there are indeed reasonable grounds for suspicion of criminality according to the case, carries a sentence of between six months and six years' imprisonment.
The defence further argued that "there is no reason to maintain the situation of provisional prison custody", given that there is no risk of reoffending since the businessman has no criminal record related to the investigated facts. Del Nido also ruled out any flight risk and stated that there is likewise no possibility of concealment or destruction of evidence, since "the court has placed under control the companies from which it is said that the money that was seized from him could have been withdrawn", as well as his bank accounts.
R.L. has been released on the condition that he appear before the judge every 15 days, with the prohibition on leaving national territory and the surrender of his passport. According to his lawyer, the defence is now focusing its efforts on proving the businessman's innocence and demonstrating that the seized money "comes from a legal activity" in leisure in El Puerto de Santa María.
The police operation took place in early July, when the Guardia Civil carried out searches at offices and hospitality establishments in El Puerto de Santa María, in addition to requesting information from files at public institutions. The operation resulted in eleven people being arrested and another being investigated. Three of the eleven arrested were released by the Guardia Civil itself, whilst the remaining eight were brought before the courts.
The judge subsequently ordered provisional prison custody, officially notified and without bail for two of those individuals, including R.L., who remained in a correctional facility in Málaga until his release last Tuesday. The other six arrested individuals were released on provisional bail with the obligation to appear before the courts when required.
This proceeding is investigating the alleged commission of money-laundering crimes within a criminal organisation, as well as bribery, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, disclosure of secrets, use of privileged information and abuse of influence.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)