Official court verdict or announcement from the Supreme Court of Spain

Ábalos Denies Illegal Commissions in 'Koldo Case', Claims No PSOE Funds Involved

Jan 2, 2025, 08:05 PM

Former Spanish Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos testified before the Supreme Court in the ongoing 'Koldo case,' denying any involvement in receiving illegal commissions. Ábalos stated that he was informed by President Pedro Sánchez of his dismissal from the ministerial position without any specific reason given, only that their 'long journey together had concluded.' He described Koldo García, his former advisor, as more than just an advisor, acting as his personal assistant who 'took care of him.' Ábalos met García in 2017 in Navarra, introduced by Santos Cerdán, the current PSOE Organization Secretary. García initially served as Ábalos's 24-hour driver during a time when the PSOE needed to be 'recomposed' after a tumultuous primary election. When Ábalos became a minister, he appointed García as one of his five allowed advisors in gratitude for his personal assistance. Additionally, businessman Víctor de Aldama testified that he paid €10,000 monthly to both Ábalos and García 'in good faith,' expecting future benefits from public contract awards. Aldama also mentioned that part of the money was intended for the PSOE, though he couldn't specify the amount. Aldama further alleged that he had direct access to the Ministry of Transport and that high-ranking officials were instructed to follow his directives, which were pre-arranged with Ábalos and García.