Former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos Faces Imminent Imprisonment as Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Seek Detention

José Luis Ábalos, the former Minister of Transport, is facing a serious legal battle as the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has requested his provisional detention without bail. This development comes amid allegations of his involvement in the collection of irregular commissions connected to mask contracts during the pandemic. Now serving as a deputy in Congress with the Mixed Group, Ábalos is currently at risk of imprisonment due to the gravity of the charges against him, including organized crime and bribery, which could lead to a potential sentence of up to 24 years. The prosecution, led by Chief Prosecutor Alejandro Luzón, presented its request during a hearing overseen by magistrate Leopoldo Puente. They argue that there is a significant flight risk given the severe penalties sought. For the first time, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor has made a request for preventive detention for Ábalos, following previous attempts that did not lead to imprisonment. During a hearing that lasted about 40 minutes, both the prosecution and the popular accusations, notably driven by the People's Party (PP), outlined their cases. The PP's popular accusation is suggesting even harsher consequences, with a demand for 30 years in prison alongside the detention of Ábalos. Currently, precautionary measures against him include biweekly court appearances, a prohibition on leaving Spain, and the seizure of his passport, which, according to sources close to his defense, have been complied with adequately. Should Ábalos be detained, he would be suspended from his parliamentary duties but would retain his seat in Congress according to legislative regulations. The gravity of the situation extends beyond Ábalos, as his former advisor, Koldo García, is scheduled to appear before the court shortly after him, facing similar charges with a recommended prison term of 19 years from the prosecution, which the popular accusations wish to elevate to 30 years. Both men are said to have colluded with businessman Víctor de Aldama, exploiting Ábalos' positioning within the government to secure financial gains from public contracts for masks during a critical time in March 2020. This criminal collaboration reportedly sought to benefit from alleged irregular awards tied to government entities, Adif and Puertos del Estado, that fell under Ábalos' jurisdiction during the pandemic. As the situation develops, the scrutiny on both figures intensifies, revealing the cascading effects of corruption accusations at high levels of government. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2