Ex-Minister Denies Graft in Pandemic Mask Deal

Former Spanish Minister of Transport, José Luis Ábalos, a figure central to Pedro Sánchez's rise to power, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the controversial procurement of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appearing before the Supreme Court in Madrid, Ábalos characterized the 8 million mask contract, now at the heart of a corruption trial, as simply 'one more contract' that was crucial for equipping Spain's administrations at a critical juncture.

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Fue un contrato más

Ábalos defended the operation, recounting the immense difficulties in acquiring necessary medical supplies. He asserted that his ministry succeeded in bringing masks to Spain at a price significantly below the market average at the time, calling it a 'success.' He attributed any potential issues with the contracts to the extreme urgency of the situation, emphasizing that while he directed that masks be procured by any means necessary, he was not directly involved in the contracting process itself, stating, 'I have never contracted, nor have I been part of any contracting body.'

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Fue una odisea traer mascarillas para todas las administraciones. Al menos nosotros las pudimos traer, los primeros en España, y a un precio bastante inferior a la media del momento

The trial, which began on April 7, sees Ábalos, his former advisor Koldo García, and businessman Víctor de Aldama accused of corruption related to the mask purchases and other alleged irregularities. Prosecutors are seeking a substantial 24-year prison sentence for the 66-year-old former minister, who was once considered one of the most powerful figures within the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).

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Fue un éxito

This case presents a significant challenge for the current socialist government, casting a shadow over its handling of the pandemic and raising uncomfortable questions about the integrity of past procurement processes. From a Spanish perspective, this trial is not just about alleged corruption; it's about accountability during a national crisis and the potential for political figures to exploit public funds. The defense's focus on the unprecedented circumstances and the success in acquiring vital supplies aims to counter the narrative of illicit gain, but the gravity of the charges and the potential sentence loom large.

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Yo siempre dije que las mascarillas había que traerlas lo antes posible, que pusieran todos los medios. Ahora, que contraten, tienen que contratar como ellos crean conveniente y sepan, yo no he contratado jamás