Nervis Villalobos seeks annulment of Spanish bribery trial

Nervis Villalobos, the former Venezuelan Deputy Minister of Energy, has requested the annulment of a judicial proceeding in Spain’s Audiencia Nacional. The trial involves former executives of the Spanish company Duro Felguera regarding allegations of bribery in Venezuela.

Villalobos’s defense argued for nullity based on the statute of limitations, the violation of fundamental rights during a home search, and the claim that the matter has already been adjudicated in Venezuela. The defense also contested the late addition of document falsification charges to the existing corruption and money laundering allegations.

The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office alleges that in 2009, Duro Felguera secured a contract to build a thermoelectric plant in Venezuela through the mediation of then-Minister Rafael Ramírez. In exchange, the company allegedly used intermediary companies to pay at least $105.6 million to Villalobos in three separate installments.

During the initial session, Luis Barrios, the former president of the Venezuelan company Técnicas Reunidas, reached a plea agreement with the prosecution and admitted involvement via videoconference from the United States.