Former Spanish Transport Minister Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Corruption in Pandemic Contracts
Former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos, a close collaborator of President Pedro Sánchez, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison by Spain's Supreme Court for his involvement in a corruption scheme linked to multi-million euro contracts for medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former Spanish Transport Minister Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Corruption in Pandemic Contracts
Spain's Supreme Court has imposed a 24-year prison sentence on former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos for his involvement in a corruption scheme linked to public contracts for hygiene materials during the COVID-19 pandemic. The news agency AFP reported this, as cited by Politiken.
Ábalos, who has been a key figure in the political trajectory of current President of the Government Pedro Sánchez, has been found guilty of membership of a criminal organisation, bribery, embezzlement of public funds and abuse of influence. Spain's highest court delivered the sentence on Monday.
Alongside him, his former adviser Koldo García has received a prison sentence of 19 years for the same offences. Both were accused of pocketing multi-million euro illegal commissions derived from state contracts for the acquisition of sanitary equipment during the health crisis.
Ábalos held a position of great importance within the Socialist Party as secretary of organisation and is considered one of the principal architects of Sánchez's rise to power. Following Sánchez's inauguration as president in 2018, Ábalos was appointed Minister of Transport.
The sentence is part of a series of investigations that have affected several members of the entourage of President Sánchez for alleged cases of corruption. Among the people close to the socialist leader who have been subject to investigations are Sánchez's wife and brother.
Source: Politiken