Prosecutors Office Declares No Criminal Offense in Mónica Oltra Case
The Valencia Prosecutors Office has made a definitive statement regarding the investigation into former Vice President Mónica Oltra, concluding that the reported facts do not constitute any criminal offense. The investigation centered on allegations that Oltra may have covered up the sexual abuse perpetrated by her ex-husband against a minor in a regional government-managed center. Given the absence of any perceived crime, the Prosecutors Office will not be pursuing a prison sentence or fines against Oltra, who served as the Minister of Equality in the Generalitat Valenciana from 2015 to 2019.
In May, the Fourth Section of the Provincial Court of Valencia confirmed the earlier indictment of Oltra and several of her team members, dismissing appeals from those involved. Notably, Oltra did not file an appeal against the Investigating Court's decision to move forward with abbreviated proceedings. This decision, made nearly a year ago, came after the Court of Appeals ordered the reopening of a previously shelved case due to the absence of supporting evidence for the initial judicial charges.
At the time of shelving the case, the Prosecutors Office observed a lack of criminality involving all parties investigated, including Oltra—who resigned from her positions in June 2022 following her indictment—and fourteen of her ministry's collaborators. However, the Valencia Court found enough complexity surrounding the case to justify its reopening, partially upholding appeals from the private prosecution representing the victim of the abuse, as well as complaints from two additional parties, including the political party Vox and the association Gobiernate.
The circumstances surrounding the allegations involve multiple individuals over an extended timeframe, making it difficult for the court to completely rule out the possibility of a criminal offense. Public interest in the outcome remains high, given the serious nature of the accusations against Oltra and her previous role as a prominent political figure in the region. As the investigation continues, further developments are anticipated as the judicial process unfolds.
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