Spanish Judiciary Council Rejects Compensation Request from Controversial Judge
The Plenary of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) has unanimously decided to reject a compensation claim by Judge Manuel Piñar, who previously sentenced Juana Rivas to five years in prison for child abduction. Piñar requested 100,000 euros for alleged damages, claiming his early retirement was prompted by actions taken against him by the CGPJ.
This latest decision comes in the wake of a disciplinary action in which the CGPJ's Disciplinary Commission sanctioned Piñar for a serious infraction, imposing a fine of 1,500 euros. This sanction was triggered by his dissemination of sensitive information regarding one of Juana Rivas's children. On December 9, 2021, Piñar issued an order rejecting a request to suspend Rivas's sentence post-pardon by the government. This decision was met with criticism, prompting Piñar to publicly defend his stance in a statement distributed to a national newspaper.
The Council determined that his actions compromised the privacy of a minor, violating his judicial duties. Although Piñar argued that the information he shared was already public, the CGPJ maintained that prior knowledge does not negate the need for discretion, particularly when dealing with minors involved in legal proceedings.
In addition to the fine, Piñar faced further scrutiny due to messages he posted on social media. Following a complaint raised by Carlos Aránguez, the lawyer representing Juana Rivas, the CGPJ opened a disciplinary investigation. Aránguez accused Piñar's posts of being offensive and slanderous towards various groups, public officials, and colleagues.
Ultimately, the CGPJ chose to archive the case against Piñar, determining that his social media conduct did not meet the criteria for any of the infractions outlined in the Organic Law of the Judiciary (LOPJ). However, the controversy surrounding his actions and the CGPJ's decisions continues to draw attention, raising concerns about the balance between judicial conduct, public accountability, and the rights of individuals involved in judicial proceedings.
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