US EditionSpanish court orders remand in jail for former minister
José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García face pretrial detention over alleged multimillion-euro corruption involving irregular mask contracts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- On Nov. 27, 2025, the Spanish Supreme Court ordered pre-trial detention without bail for José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García, sending both to Soto del Real prison near Madrid.
- Since 2024, the 'Koldo case' investigation alleges a multi‑million‑euro network of rigged contracts, kickbacks, and influence peddling involving Santos Cerdán, a former PSOE secretary, who was detained for nearly five months until Nov 19.
- Judge Leopoldo Puente justified preventive detention because José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García face charges including criminal organisation and bribery, and Ábalos may have handled significant cash amid an 'extreme' flight risk.
- Following the Supreme Court decision, Spanish Congress has begun parliamentary suspension proceedings that will strip José Luis Ábalos of voting rights and parliamentary salary while detained, though he has not renounced his seat.
- Political pressure intensified after the remand decision as opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo called a rally in Madrid and the first part of the trial is expected in the coming months.
93 Articles
93 Articles
Spanish court orders remand in jail for former minister
Spain's Supreme Court ordered prison on remand for former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos on Thursday, who is implicated in one of the corruption scandals dogging the leftist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
The former Minister of Transport, José Luis Abalos, former right-hand man of the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez and today a Member of Parliament, was placed in pre-trial detention on Thursday, 27 November, especially on suspicions of corruption, announced the judge in charge of the investigation. He became the first Spanish MP in office to be placed in detention.
The former Transport Minister and his adviser are imprisoned for 'extreme' risk of escape following the Supreme Court's decision.
Former Minister José Luis Ábalos and his former advisor Koldo García have been imprisoned following the order of Judge Leopoldo Puente, who has argued a “extreme” risk of escape
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