Countdown in the Supreme Court: last session of the trial of Ábalos, Koldo and Aldama before the verdict

The Supreme Court holds this Wednesday the fourteenth and presumably last session of the trial against the former Minister of Transport José Luis Ábalos, his former advisor Koldo García and the businessman Víctor de Aldama for an alleged corruption plot linked to public contracts. The Criminal Chamber of the high court, composed of seven magistrates, faces the final stretch of the process after almost three weeks of oral hearings marked by cross-accusations, partial confessions and strong discrepancies over the requested sentences.

The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, led in this case by chief prosecutor Alejandro Luzón, maintains its requests for conviction intact: 24 years in prison for Ábalos, 19 and a half years for Koldo García and 7 years for Aldama. The Public Prosecutor's Office accuses the three of forming a supposed criminal organization dedicated to collecting illegal commissions in exchange for favoring public contracts and facilitating procedures before different administrations. Among the attributed crimes are bribery, influence peddling, embezzlement and membership in a criminal organization.

The investigation focuses on public contracts awarded during the pandemic and on alleged million-dollar bribes that, according to the accusation, would have been channeled through Aldama as a business intermediary. The businessman acknowledged before the court the existence of irregular payments and favors, assuring that both Ábalos and Koldo García received significant economic amounts in exchange for facilitating awards and opening doors within the public administration. His testimony has also served to fuel other investigations open in the Audiencia Nacional related to an alleged fraud in the hydrocarbons sector.

However, Aldama's defense considers insufficient the recognition made by the Prosecutor's Office regarding his collaboration with Justice. His lawyer demands the application of a "very qualified" mitigating circumstance of confession, which would allow a considerable reduction of the sentence and avoid imprisonment. This thesis has found support in the popular accusations led by the Popular Party, who maintain that the information provided by the businessman has been decisive in discovering new allegedly criminal behaviors.

For their part, the defenses of Ábalos and Koldo García maintain a completely opposite strategy and continue defending the innocence of both. The lawyers of the accused will request acquittal considering that there are no direct proofs that accredit the collection of illegal commissions nor the existence of an organized plot. Furthermore, they question the credibility of Aldama and maintain that his statements respond solely to an attempt to reduce his own criminal responsibility.

If no new incidents occur, the trial will be concluded this Wednesday for sentencing after 14 sessions held in the Supreme Court. Before the definitive closure of the process, the three defendants will have the right to the final statement.