Spain's masks case: Ábalos gets 24 years, Aldama walks free

The masks case: 24 years for Ábalos, 19 for Koldo, and Aldama avoids prison

Spain's masks corruption case has finally reached a verdict, and the sentences are harsh on paper. José Luis Ábalos has been sentenced to 24 years in prison, and Koldo García to 19 years for bribery, embezzlement and influence peddling. The surprise, however, came from Víctor de Aldama, sentenced to four and a half years but without entering prison. A move many interpret as judicial shielding.

Sentences with caveats: the door to an open regime

Although steep, the sentences could come to nothing if qualifying mitigating factors are applied. As already peine with those convicted in the ERTE furlough scandal in Andalusia – who are still free – it would be no surprise if Ábalos and Koldo end up serving their time in an open regime. The debate is served: 24 years sound exemplary, but enforcement is another story.

Aldama, the big winner of the verdict

Aldama's sentence has generated skepticism. At 4.5 years, he will not go to prison, which many see as a failure of the system. The irony is hard to miss: the middleman slips out of the spotlight while headline figures like Ábalos and Koldo bear the brunt. It remains to be seen whether the rest of those involved – such as the woman known as "Cierrabares" – will end up in the dock.

The overall feeling left by this verdict is bittersweet. Severe sentences that, however, may be diluted in the process. The question is whether these sentences will ever be served or remain an empty gesture of exemplarity.