Judge Sues Ione Belarra for Defamation Over Corruption Claims
Manuel García Castellón, the former magistrate of Spain's National Court, has taken legal action against Podemos deputy and former minister Ione Belarra, following her claims of corruption against him. In a lawsuit filed with the Supreme Court, García Castellón alleges that Belarra's accusations of prevarication—notably made upon his announcement of retirement—are both defamatory and a violation of his honor, seeking compensation of 120,000 euros.
Belarra ignited controversy on September 2, when she took to social media platform X to express her views, stating, "We said it months ago and now it is confirmed. This and other corrupt judges who have prevaricated against those of us who defend another idea of Spain will get away scot-free without any sanctions thanks to the PSOE. Shame!"
García Castellón contends that her statements constitute an unwarranted personal attack on his integrity, arguing that they surpass the bounds of acceptable criticism. He maintains that such expressions lack a reasonable relationship to any legitimate informational purpose, labelling them instead as offensive and unnecessary. His lawsuit argues for the protection of his right to honor over an alleged right to free expression, emphasizing that the Constitution does not grant immunity to insults.
In response, Belarra defended her statements as a matter of truth, alleging that García Castellón's judicial actions have primarily served to protect the People's Party (PP) and suppress political opposition. She remarked that he continues a 'dirty judicial war' against Podemos, asserting, "He is suing me for telling the truth."
Support for Belarra has surged within her party, with figures like Pablo Fernández, Secretary of Organization for Podemos, labeling García Castellón as a political operator for the PP. Fernández asserted that the former magistrate's actions are part of a broader campaign against Podemos, and he vowed that the party will persist in its efforts to reveal the truth, regardless of any pushback from those in power.
This legal confrontation underscores the ongoing tensions in Spanish politics, particularly between Podemos and the traditional parties, accentuating the complexities surrounding judicial integrity, freedom of speech, and political accountability. As this case unfolds, it raises pivotal questions regarding the intersection of law and political discourse in Spain.
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