Supreme Court Moves to Lift Immunity of Former Minister Amid Corruption Allegations
The Supreme Court's instruction of the Koldo case has taken a significant step as Judge Leopoldo Puente seeks to have Congress waive former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos' parliamentary immunity. This move comes after the discovery of substantial evidence suggesting Ábalos’ involvement in multiple criminal activities, including membership in a criminal organization, influence peddling, bribery, and embezzlement.
Puente has articulated the necessity for this waiver, which is mandated by the Constitution, emphasizing that the evidence gathered warrants further action. This request, he clarified, will be forwarded through a reasoned exposition to the president of the Supreme Court's Criminal Chamber.
The judge's decision follows testimonies from Ábalos, his former advisor, and involved businessman Víctor de Aldama, alongside various pieces of documentation, telephone interceptions, and home searches sanctioned by the National Court (AN).
Evidence suggests that Ábalos, leveraging his ministerial position, allegedly directed the awarding of public contracts to private companies during the urgent circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. These contracts were primarily linked to the emergency procurement of medical supplies such as masks and special suits.
Puente's investigation points to a close relationship between Ábalos and de Aldama, who purportedly received advance information about urgent procurement needs that facilitated his arrangement of contracts through his company, Soluciones de Gestión. There are allegations that both Koldo and Ábalos engaged in maneuvers to hide illicit payments and financially benefit from the contracts awarded.
In his statement given on December 12, Ábalos denied receiving any financial gains from these contracts. However, Judge Puente noted that evidence contradicts his claims, with various documents and statements suggesting otherwise.
Additionally, the judge indicated suspicion surrounding financial advantages allegedly received by Ábalos through de Aldama and other intermediaries, in regard to rent payments for properties linked to Ábalos.
With Puente’s reasoned exposition now submitted for approval, the process to suspend the parliamentary immunity of former Transport Minister Ábalos will advance, pending Congressional endorsement, marking a crucial development in ongoing investigations into corruption within the government.
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