Legal proceedings face delays and appeals in corruption cases

Legal proceedings involving high-profile corruption cases in the Dominican Republic and Spain are facing procedural developments.

In the Dominican Republic, the trial of former Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez has been delayed due to 21 procedural incidents presented by the defense. The Public Ministry, through the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for the Prosecution of Administrative Corruption (Pepca), claims these motions are attempts to stall the process to eventually claim the expiration of criminal action. Rodríguez has denied these claims, stating he wants the case to proceed and questioning the handling of evidence.

In Spain, the Supreme Court has rejected nullity motions filed by former minister José Luis Ábalos and advisor Koldo García Izaguirre. The motions challenged their prison sentences of 24 and 19 years, respectively, for crimes including criminal organization, bribery, and embezzlement related to the ‘mask case’. The ruling allows both individuals to seek constitutional protection through the Constitutional Court.