Spanish Supreme Court sentences Ábalos, García and Aldama in corruption case

The Spanish Supreme Court has handed down a landmark verdict in the so‑called “case Ábalos”. Former minister José Luis Ábalos was sentenced to 24 years and three months in prison for crimes including organized crime, bribery, embezzlement and influence‑peddling. Former Transport Minister Koldo García received a comparable term, while businessman Víctor de Aldama was sentenced to four years and six months, suspended because of his collaboration with investigators.

The court highlighted a “doctrine Aldama” that rewards collaborators with reduced penalties. Following the ruling, Aldama is set to receive the Gran Cruz of the Order of San Raimundo de Peñafort, Spain’s highest legal honour.

Separately, the People’s Party’s vice‑secretary for Education and Equality, Jaime de los Santos, called for the tax agency to open a formal inspection of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero over the discovery of jewels in his former office, arguing the agency should act “equally forcefully” against Zapatero as it does against other officials.