David Sánchez, brother of Spanish prime minister, convicted of abuse of power: banned from public office for nine years

David Sánchez, the brother of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been convicted of administrative misconduct and banned from holding public office for nine years. The provincial court in Badajoz ruled that Sánchez, a trained classical musician, was appointed head of two conservatories in 2017 through a position created specifically for him, allegedly at the behest of his brother Pedro, who was then national leader of the socialist party PSOE.

The case was brought by Manos Limpias, an anti-corruption group led by far-right lawyer Miguel Bernad. The socialist prime minister dismissed the case as a political campaign by the right. The court found that the creation of the high-profile position for Sánchez served exclusively personal interests, describing it as "completely arbitrary exercise of power."

Ten other individuals, including the former leader of the local PSOE faction, were also convicted. The convictions can be appealed. The court rejected the most serious charge of corruption, stating it was not proven that Sánchez obtained his position through "personal or hierarchical relationships."

This verdict delivers another blow to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has faced mounting problems. Last month, his former right-hand man, ex-minister José Luis Ábalo, received a 24-year prison sentence for his role in a corruption case involving face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the PSOE party and Sánchez himself are entangled in other corruption allegations, including investigations into Sánchez's wife for allegedly misusing her position and into alleged illegal money flows aimed at sabotaging judicial investigations within the party.