Addressing a Senate committee trying into an alleged kickbacks scandal linked to masks procurement throughout the pandemic when he was transport minister, José Luis Ábalos stated he knew nothing concerning the matter.
On the coronary heart of the case is his former shut aide Koldo García, who was arrested on February twenty first over an alleged scheme that permit a small beforehand unknown agency receive contracts value €53 million ($57.5 million) to provide masks to public authorities, which prosecutors say generated €9.5 million in kickbacks.
READ MORE: What’s Spain’s ‘Caso Koldo’ corruption scandal all about?
Ábalos, who has not been charged with any offence, has nonetheless been ejected from the Socialist get together after refusing to resign as a present of “political accountability”, expressing his frustration at Monday’s listening to.
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“This (entire factor) is a present trial” which doesn’t respect “the precept of a presumption of innocence,” he advised senators within the higher home of parliament, which is dominated by the right-wing opposition Standard Celebration (PP).
Requested what he knew concerning the matter, he stated: “Nothing. And it isn’t even clear to me there was such a scheme.”
Ábalos held the transport portfolio from 2018-2021 in Sánchez’s left-wing authorities and for years was a key member of his Socialist get together.
In a courtroom doc printed within the Spanish media, the investigating decide recognized Ábalos as an “middleman” however he has not been charged with any offence.
Addressing senators, Ábalos stated on the peak of the pandemic, his undersecretary was the one buying masks and never Koldo, saying he was “glad” with how issues had been managed as a result of his was one of many first ministries “to acquire (protecting healthcare) provides”.
Acknowledging his “private hyperlink” with Koldo, who was typically photographed at his facet, he stated it was “a shock” to study of his private enrichment when the matter got here to mild.
The scandal is especially delicate for Sánchez, who took energy in 2018 after an enormous corruption scandal introduced down the previous PP authorities, and has prided himself on the integrity and transparency of his administration.
Ábalos advised senators he had not spoken to Sánchez for the reason that scandal erupted, and criticised the Socialist get together for expelling him with out him being charged.
He was changed as transport minister throughout a 2021 authorities reshuffle, and the PP has claimed his elimination confirmed Sánchez was conscious of the scandal and had sought to sideline him.
García appeared earlier than the Senate final month, however invoked his “proper to not testify” on grounds a authorized inquiry into the matter has begun, whereas insisting his conscience was “completely clear”.