Badalona Mayor Xavier García Albiol Acquitted in Antenna Licensing Case
In a significant legal development, the Barcelona Court has acquitted Xavier García Albiol, the current mayor of Badalona from the Popular Party (PP), along with several co-defendants, regarding the unauthorized installation of mobile phone antennas at a local Urban Guard police station in 2012. The trial, which took place in December 2024, saw Albiol firmly assert his innocence and contend that he would have acted had he been made aware of any wrongdoing.
The case dates back to 2012, a time when Albiol was serving his first term as mayor. According to the prosecution, Albiol approved the installation of two mobile phone antennas within the premises of the Central Station of the Urban Guard at Turó den Caritg without issuing a formal resolution. This act was allegedly in violation of municipal regulations, as the location in question was deemed incompatible for such use. This incompatibility led to the absence of necessary municipal environmental and urban licenses.
During the trial, the prosecution initially sought a sentence of 2 years and 10 months in prison for Albiol on charges of continued prevarication. Additionally, they requested a sentence of one and a half years for several co-defendants, including Xavier Salvà, the then Urban Planning manager; Tomás Vizcaíno, manager of the public company Engestur; and Josep Duran, head of the licensing and construction department. However, the prosecution later withdrew their accusations against two other defendants—Miguel Jurado, the former councilor for Citizen Security in Badalona, and Oriol Lladó, the Urban Planning councilor from Albiol's government team.
The ruling puts an end to the legal proceedings against Albiol concerning this matter, highlighting the complexities involved in municipal governance and the scrutiny public officials face regarding their decision-making processes. As public officials, the responsibilities they bear often come under intense examination, especially in cases involving urban development and environmental regulations.
This case serves as a reminder of the challenges local leaders face when navigating regulatory frameworks while attempting to foster community developments. As public opinion continues to shape political landscapes across Spain, this verdict may also impact Albiol's political career and the future of the Popular Party in Badalona.
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