Disciplinary proceedings against judge investigating Spanish president's wife
Spain's General Council of the Judiciary is considering opening disciplinary proceedings against Judge Juan Carlos Peinado for his controversial statements about police in the Begoña Gómez case.
Disciplinary proceedings against judge investigating Spanish president's wife
The General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), Spain's judicial governing body, is considering initiating disciplinary proceedings against Judge Juan Carlos Peinado. The decision comes after the magistrate ordered an oral trial last Saturday against Begoña Gómez, wife of Government President Pedro Sánchez, for alleged crimes of corruption, influence peddling and other illicit activities.
The reason for the possible sanction is not the accusations against Gómez themselves, but the judge's reasoning for imposing the removal of her passport, a ban on leaving the country and an obligation to report to the courthouse every 14 days. In his 84-page ruling, Peinado stated that the police officers responsible for the security of the head of government's wife could collaborate in a possible flight from national territory "on their own initiative or following instructions from their superiors".
Additionally, the magistrate considered there to be an added risk because the position of government president is temporary, meaning that the protection Begoña Gómez currently receives could cease in the future.
These statements have provoked indignation not only from the Government and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), but also from police unions. The Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has filed an official complaint with the CGPJ and has demanded measures. In his view, the judge's words represent a serious doubt about the professionalism of members of the security forces and undermine confidence in state institutions.
It is particularly striking that police unions, including Jupol—which typically criticises the Sánchez administration—have taken a stance against the magistrate. Several unions have described the judge's statements as "absurd", "scandalous" and "insulting" to officers.
The president of the Supreme Court and the CGPJ, Isabel Perelló, has proposed that members of the standing committee open a disciplinary file for possible abuse of authority or inappropriate conduct in the judicial proceedings. The committee will debate the proposal this Monday, according to 24ur.com.
Source: 24ur