Ex-Minister José Luis Ábalos Summoned in Mask Contracting Investigation
Leopoldo Puente, the magistrate of the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, has summoned former minister José Luis Ábalos to voluntarily testify on December 12 as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the contracting of masks and medical supplies during the pandemic. The judge is pressing Ábalos to confirm whether he will attend the declaration at his earliest convenience.
In a notable development, the investigating judge has also taken on the responsibility of examining the actions of Ábalos' former advisor, Koldo García, and businessman Víctor de Aldama. De Aldama is scheduled to testify on December 16, followed by García on December 17.
According to a statement from the Supreme Court and the reasons laid out in the investigation, De Aldama is believed to have used his influence over both Koldo García and José Luis Ábalos to secure contracts for his own benefit and potentially for others, through various financial compensations and payments. These contracts are primarily with entities associated with Puertos del Estado and ADIF, as well as other related administrations.
Evidence suggests that Koldo García may have acted as an intermediary between the governmental entities and private companies, essentially linking the actions of De Aldama with those of the former minister. The investigation, initiated by Central Instruction Court No 2 of the National Court, has revealed significant connections between the alleged payments made by De Aldama and the roles of Ábalos and García.
The instructor of the case points to the intricate relationship between the actions of García and the consequences on Ábalos, emphasizing that it is challenging to disentangle the claims of payments from the actual receipt of those funds. The intertwining nature of these accusations speaks to the complexities of the investigation, suggesting that dismissing any one aspect could overlook the interconnected realities at play.
The unfolding investigation raises crucial questions about governance and accountability, particularly regarding the management and distribution of essential medical supplies during a crisis. As the situation develops, the testimonies of those summoned may shed significant light on the involved parties' actions and intentions.
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