Anti-corruption requests Ábalos remain in prison due to flight risk ahead of the 'mask case' trial

The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has asked the Supreme Court to confirm the provisional detention of José Luis Ábalos, considering that there is a high risk of flight as the trial for the mask scheme approaches

of january 15, 2026 at 11:48h
EuropaPress 7094545 diputado grupo mixto jose luis abalos sesion plenaria congreso diputados 11
EuropaPress 7094545 diputado grupo mixto jose luis abalos sesion plenaria congreso diputados 11

The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, led by Alejandro Luzón, has formally requested the Supreme Court to keep former Minister of Transport José Luis Ábalos in pre-trial detention, alleging a high risk of flight due to the proximity of the trial for the so-called 'face mask case', which investigates alleged irregularities in the awarding of public contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ábalos was sent to pretrial detention—without the possibility of bail—on **November 27, 2025**, along with his former advisor **Koldo García**, by decision of the investigating judge in the case, who considered the risk of flight to have become "extreme" given the proximity of the oral hearing.

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