Badajoz Court Dismisses Appeal in High-Profile Corruption Case Involving Political Figures
The Court of Instruction No. 3 in Badajoz has recently dismissed an appeal made by the Public Prosecutors Office regarding the case involving David Sánchez, the brother of the current President of the Government, and Miguel Ángel Gallardo, the President of the Diputación de Badajoz. Judge Beatriz Diezma has scheduled their testimonies for January 9 to address alleged charges of influence peddling, embezzlement, and malfeasance.
In an order dated November 11, the judge rejected the Prosecutor’s appeal, which was supported by Sánchez's lawyer, reiterating the previous resolution made on November 27. The judge maintained that there was no violation of the defendants’ rights, as they have had continual access to the details of the investigation, including analyzed emails relevant to the case. Moreover, any previous secrecy surrounding these communications had been lifted by the Central Operational Unit of the Civil Guard, allowing for transparency in the legal proceedings.
Judge Diezma emphasized that the summons for testimony does not imply any guilt on the part of Sánchez or Gallardo, adhering to the principle of presumption of innocence. Instead, it reflects the duty of the Court of Instruction to investigate all matters that could potentially involve criminal conduct.
The Prosecutors Office had contested the initial indictment order, arguing that it lacked clarity regarding the specific charges against each of the individuals under investigation. However, the recent ruling affirms that the appeal, though denied, allows the Prosecutors Office a five-day period to present further substantiation and details concerning the appeal, following Article 7664 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
This development marks a significant moment in a case that has garnered attention due to the political affiliations of those involved. As the court process unfolds, both the public and the political community will be closely monitoring any further revelations or developments that may arise from the testimonies scheduled for January.
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