Anti-corruption operation at Soria Council results in six arrests
A Guardia Civil operation has concluded with half a dozen detentions and searches at the Soria local authority and in private residences, as part of an investigation into an alleged corruption network.
Anti-corruption operation at Soria Council results in six arrests
A police operation deployed on Tuesday by the Guardia Civil has concluded with half a dozen people arrested and several searches carried out both in the municipal offices of Soria and in private residences. Of the arrests, two have taken place in the province itself, another two in Madrid, and two further searches have also been carried out in residences.
The investigation focuses on an alleged corruption network that would encompass offences such as trafficking in influence, malfeasance in administration, illicit dealings by public officials, document falsification, money laundering and the formation of a criminal group.
The operation has generated considerable political controversy in Castilla y León. The People's Party has requested urgent explanations from Carlos Martínez, the current general secretary of the PSOE in the region and until recently the mayor of the Soria capital for nearly twenty years. Martínez left his post following the regional elections of 15 March to take up the position of parliamentary representative and spokesperson for the socialist group in the regional Parliament.
The conservatives have recalled that Martínez's tenure at the head of the council "has been marred in recent times by various controversies, including the hiring of direct relatives". They have emphasised "the institutional gravity of the events" and have demanded "a public and immediate response" from the leader, although they have stated they respect the judicial process.
Source: ABC
Source: ABC