Spain corruption trial: 13 defendants face court in Koldo case

The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor has asked National Court judge Ismael Moreno to conclude the investigation into the "Koldo" case and open the oral trial phase against 13 individuals, including Koldo García Izaguirre, Víctor de Aldama, and Isabel Pardo de Vera. This will be the second corruption trial involving the Ministry of Transport during José Luis Ábalos's tenure.

The prosecutor seeks to end the instruction phase and bring thirteen people to trial for rigging healthcare supply contracts during the pandemic. The document sent to National Court judge **Ismael Moreno** requests closing the "Koldo" case investigation and starting preparations for the oral trial. Defendants include former assistant to ex-minister José Luis Ábalos, **Koldo García Izaguirre**; businessman **Víctor de Aldama**; former Adif president **Isabel Pardo de Vera**; Ábalos's former partner Jessica Rodríguez; and Civil Guard commander Rubén Villalba.

This marks the second trial for corruption crimes within the Ministry of Transport between 2018 and 2021 under Ábalos. Some facts were already addressed by the Supreme Court's Incivil Chamber, resulting in convictions: Koldo García and Aldama remain imprisoned at Soto del Real prison in Madrid. Now, acts not judged by the high court and persons not investigated there are being tried.

## Mask contracts in Balearic and Canary Islands

The proceedings focus on healthcare material awards benefiting **Soluciones de Gestión** and **Eurofins Megalab**. The Anti-Corruption unit targets mask purchase contracts in the Balearic and Canary Islands, which the Supreme Court did not try. Irregular hiring of Jessica Rodríguez at public companies **Ineco** and **Tragsatec** is also included, with her as a defendant.

The prosecutor anticipates charges in his brief. He will accuse Koldo's ex-vvife Patricia Uriz and brother Joseba García; Aldama's partners Ignacio Díaz Tapia, César Moreno, and Javier Serrano; and Commander Villalba of incivil organization. Aldama and Villalba face bribery charges. Influence peddling applies to Koldo García, Pardo de Vera, Ignacio Zaldívar García, and Joseba García. Jessica Rodríguez faces embezzlement charges.

## Commander Villalba and Aldama's tax crimes

The brief attributes alleged bribery to Villalba. According to prosecutors, the commander received economic compensation primarily to ensure protection and continuity of the alleged incivil organization. Villalba guaranteed internal security, safeguarding communications and personal safety. He also facilitated external security to prevent discovery of the organization's activities.

Future indictment will allege money laundering by Koldo García, Joseba García, and Patricia Uriz. Prosecutors state they participated in operations hiding illicit origins of payments from Aldama to both Ábalos and Koldo. Tax evasion charges apply to Aldama and two Soluciones de Gestión executives, **Juan Carlos Cueto** and **Iñigo Rotaeche**.

## PP seeks to expand case to Logirail

Popular accusations led by the People's Party (PP) ask the judge to try Pardo de Vera, Ignacio Zaldívar, Joseba García, and Jessica Rodríguez for influence peddling and embezzlement regarding Rodríguez's hiring at Ineco and Tragsatec. Their proposal notably expands investigation to Claudia Montes's hiring at **Logirail**, making **Isaías Taboas**, former Renfe president, and Óscar Gómez Barbero, former Logirail director, suspects.

Montes's hiring was previously investigated by the Supreme Court, which found she was placed at Logirail by Ábalos and Koldo García using Taboas and Gómez. For the PP, the Logirail pattern resembles Ineco and Tragsatec cases. They argue it is unjustifiable to investigate those receiving influence in one case while excluding others who did the same elsewhere.

## State Attorney Office and Aldama's companies

The State Attorney Office proposes trying Aldama and his companies **Deluxe Fortune** and **MTM 180** for crimes against public finances. It also seeks to try Pardo de Vera, Zaldívar, Joseba García, and Jessica Rodríguez for embezzlement and influence peddling related to Rodríguez's hiring at Tragsatec and Ineco.

Proceedings remain in instruction phase; prosecutor's charges are proposals, not verdicts. All accused are presumed innocent until final judgment.