Juan Lobato to Testify Before Supreme Court Amid Controversy and Political Turmoil
On Friday, Juan Lobato, the former Secretary General of the Madrid PSOE, is set to appear as a witness before the Supreme Court in a significant case involving the Attorney General of the State, Álvaro García Ortiz. His testimony is crucial for clarifying the role of the Spanish government, particularly Moncloa, in the controversial dissemination of information regarding Isabel Díaz Ayuso's partner.
Lobato's appearance coincides with the commencement of the 41st Federal Congress of the PSOE in Seville. However, it is noteworthy that he will no longer hold his position as the Secretary General of the Madrid Socialists, having resigned to halt what he described as a serious confrontation and division within the party. His resignation also aims to address what he perceives as a lynching from certain party colleagues, further complicating the context of his testimony.
Recent reports from the newspaper ABC indicated that the chief of staff of the current Minister Óscar López sent Lobato a confession from Alberto González Amador, Ayuso's partner, involving an attempt to negotiate with the Prosecutors Office. Lobato ultimately declined to utilize this information in the Assembly of Madrid. Following his refusal, this sensitive information was leaked to the media, prompting Lobato to deposit the messages with a notary for safekeeping.
In a surprising turn of events, shortly after the media leak, the Supreme Court's Instructor, Ángel Hurtado, summoned Lobato to provide testimony, as his insights could be pivotal in unraveling the facts surrounding the allegations against García Ortiz. Lobato is also required to present the documentation he notarized regarding the messages exchanged with the chief of staff, Pilar Sánchez Acera.
This evidence is essential to determining how Moncloa acquired the email currently under investigation, whether it was through a media leak, as Lobato has suggested, or by other undisclosed means. As the situation escalates, Lobato's role as a witness may lead to unexpected repercussions, especially if the content of his messages raises suspicions that could transform him from a witness to a suspect in the potential revelation of secrets.
Lobato has been one of the PSOE's critical voices in recent months. Initially, he denied any involvement or leakage from Moncloa. He stated that he had verified, before a notary, that neither the Madrid socialists nor Moncloa had received any pertinent information from the Prosecutors Office regarding Ayuso’s boyfriend. However, the mounting pressures following his leadership of the Madrid PSOE led Lobato to leave room for doubt about Moncloa’s integrity, particularly after questions from party members about possible misinformation.
Days before his resignation, Lobato indicated a disillusionment with the internal dynamics of the party, emphasizing a call against the obliteration of dissenting voices. His resignation letter was marked by a plea for a more adversarial yet civil approach to political disagreements.
The fact that Lobato, and not any of the initially investigated parties or other requested witnesses, will be the first to testify in this case has raised eyebrows among both the defenses and prosecutions. They have previously sought several testimonies and evidence practices from the court's instructor but have encountered a lack of response. Media outlets and political analysts alike will be keenly observing Lobato's testimony, watching for any ramifications it may have on the parties involved, especially concerning Moncloa's actions in this evolving legal drama.
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