The Judge's Harsh Setback to Koldo to Continue Investigating the Case That Bears His Name

The judge in charge of investigating the case known as Koldo at the National Court, Ismael Moreno, has dealt a blow to Koldo. Specifically to the request of the former ministerial advisor Koldo García for the return of "the documentation and digital devices." The same ones that were seized during the search of his home on February 20, 2024.

The magistrate has declared, in a resolution accessed by Europa Press, that "it is not appropriate." He argues that the return of the objects seized during the search is not appropriate "since they are being analyzed by the police unit in charge of the investigation for the preparation of the corresponding reports."

Koldo García, who is being investigated in the framework of Operation Delorme, which investigates alleged bribes in public procurement. All regarding mask contracts during the pandemic.

The former advisor to Ábalos had requested the return of his belongings. Arguing that more than a year had passed since the search of his home. According to him, a period he considered "more than sufficient" to clone and transfer the information from the electronic devices.

He also considered that once the backup of the information was made, there was no justification for continuing to retain the seized devices.

For this reason, García maintained that "there would no longer be any reason not to return the confiscated electronic terminals." He explained that this would not prevent the UCO of the Civil Guard from continuing with the analysis and preparation of reports.

"It is reasonable that once the necessary information for the investigation has been obtained and extracted, the devices should be returned without further delay. Without unnecessarily prolonging their seizure," García pointed out. All referring to the judicial resolution that authorized the search.

This Is How They Found the Box with Information on the Koldo Case That Raises Alarms

The Koldo case experiences a new stir. This comes after finding a box at the National Court related to documents of the Koldo case.

Inside are files linked to both the former ministerial advisor Koldo García and his brother, Joseba García. However, the most important aspect of this discovery has been the state of the box.

According to the diligence, the box contained up to five documents. Those that were seized during previous searches and had been "unsealed, sealed, and foliated in its day."

According to Europa Press, it is considered that this finding could represent a breach in the chain of custody of the seized material. Which could lead to an appeal by the defenses, questioning the validity of the documentation within the judicial process.

What's Inside the Box?

The box sent to the UCO of the Civil Guard contained various elements seized in the framework of the Koldo case. Among them, a bag with 14 stamps found in the office of the investigated Javier Serrano and César Moreno. Also, a flash drive seized in the home of Koldo García and a Civil Guard tie with the old logo of the corps and the emblem of the Information Headquarters.

Additionally, an envelope with information on the identification and location of a pet and a black zippered case were found. These objects were seized during the searches conducted on February 20, 2024, in the framework of Operation Delorme. In which alleged irregular commissions in the awarding of public contracts for the purchase of masks during the pandemic are being investigated.

The discovery of this box, more than a year after those searches, could raise doubts about the chain of custody of the material. Which could be subject to future appeals by the defenses.