Supreme Court Brings Key Witnesses to Light in Álvaro García Ortiz Case
The Supreme Court magistrate Ángel Hurtado has summoned essential witnesses in the ongoing case against State Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz, signaling a critical phase in the investigation. On Tuesday, the 27th, Carlos Neira, the lawyer of Isabel Díaz Ayuso's partner, will take the stand, followed by four journalists from El País who are set to testify on Friday, the 30th.
The State Attorney's Office, which is defending García Ortiz, requested these testimonies as the inquiry appears to be concluding, with only one significant piece of evidence remaining: the summoning of Ayuso's boyfriend, Alberto González Amador, as a witness on the upcoming Friday.
Carlos Neira is prominently involved in the case, having sent an email on February 2, 2024, admitting to committing two tax crimes. The situation has drawn the attention of four journalists from El País, who are expected to elaborate on their knowledge regarding an agreement intended to be reached with the Prosecutor's Office, presumably to avoid a trial.
Magistrate Hurtado has ruled to include a notarized document, consisting of exchanged messages and emails between the businessman's lawyer and the journalists, into the proceedings. One of the journalists noted that he was made aware of this willingness to reach an agreement on March 12, which subsequently led to an internal investigation among his colleagues.
The State Attorney aims to demonstrate that these media professionals were privy to the communications well ahead of any alleged knowledge or intervention by the Attorney General. It is essential to note that the magistrate previously dismissed requests by the State Attorney's Office to summon the journalists, a decision that was later upheld by the Court.
In the current context, the judge highlighted that the initial testimonies provided by the journalists before a notary are of significant importance, as they could potentially confirm and elaborate on details beneficial to García Ortiz's defense. This has prompted Hurtado to allow the journalists to present their statements to ensure that the right to defense is upheld in a manner that best serves the interests of the case.
However, Hurtado opted not to summon several agents from the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, despite the observation of contradictory reports regarding the public dissemination of the email on the night of March 13, 2024. The reports varied in timing, with one stating it was shared at 23:51 on the Cadena Ser website and another at 23:25 on air.
These developments indicate a crucial moment in the case involving García Ortiz, where the testimonies of key individuals could yield significant implications for the outcome of the investigation. As this story unfolds, both the political and legal ramifications are likely to draw extensive scrutiny from the media and the public alike.
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