David Sánchez Trial: Conservatoire Directors Called Position "Absurd"
The directors of conservatories run by the Badajoz Provincial Council stated that the position occupied by David Sánchez was unnecessary. The trial continues on Tuesday with more than 40 witnesses.
Conservatoire Directors Deny Requesting Coordinator Position
The directors of conservatories run by the Badajoz Provincial Council never requested the creation of the post that ended up being occupied by David Sánchez, the Prime Minister's brother. This is reflected in the witness statements from the first day of the trial held at the Badajoz Provincial Court, according to ABC. The case follows the musician's recruitment in 2017, with Sánchez himself, Miguel Ángel Gallardo and nine other defendants in the dock.
Evaristo Valentí, who was director of the Higher Music Conservatoire at that time, admitted to the court that the creation of the coordinator position for the conservatories did not respond to a pressing need of the centres. He also acknowledged that priorities lay elsewhere: among them, the incorporation of an accompanying pianist, a figure he considered essential for the ordinary functioning of the conservatoire.
Rosario Mayoral, director of the same centre between 2020 and 2025, spoke in similar terms. She explained to the court that the coordination of conservatoires was not among the most urgent needs, and that the main shortages were linked to teaching staff. Among the demands she did consider a priority, Mayoral stressed the incorporation of a specialist profile in communication and social networks, similar to that of a community manager.
The "Little Brother" Email Returns to Centre Stage in Trial
Despite these reservations, the Provincial Council created the coordinator post, whose usefulness raised doubts from the outset. Valentí acknowledged that those in charge saw it as "problematic" to integrate a figure external to the pedagogical structure of the centres, and confirmed that he had at one point called the initiative an "absurd" idea. These reservations were passed on to the then director of the Culture Department of the Provincial Council.
The first day of witness statements again focused on one of the most notable episodes of the investigation: the email that included the job specifications for the coordinator position with the subject line "little brother". Valentí himself confirmed before the court that this term referred to David Sánchez and that he had heard "rumours" in informal conversations pointing to the President's brother applying for the post. Mayoral, on the other hand, declared she was unaware of the origin of the position and that it was allocated beforehand. Both agreed in stating that they were unaware of the functions of the so-called Performing Arts Office.
General Secretary Defends Legality of Procedure
Against the doubts raised by those in charge of the conservatoires, the general secretary of the Badajoz Provincial Council, Enrique Pedrero, defended the correctness of the procedure. The official acknowledged that modifications to the list of posts stem from decisions of a political nature, as part of the administration's capacity for self-organisation, but stressed that all these changes are subject to legal review by technicians. He also defended the transformation of David Sánchez's position in 2022, calling it "impeccable" and denying that it constituted a new appointment.
Nerses Avakimyan, one of the applicants who applied for the position, recounted that he heard comments about Sánchez's candidacy, although he clarified that, despite not having access to the process scores, he never perceived any irregularities.
More than 40 Witnesses Pending Statement
Witness statements continue on Tuesday. The trial has more than 40 witnesses summoned, including technicians, civil servants, Provincial Council officials, experts and agents from the UCO. The defendants are not expected to make statements before 4 June.
Source: ABC