The Judge's Decision in the 'hydrocarbons Case' That Has Left Everyone Perplexed

The hydrocarbons case, popularly known as 'the Aldama case,' has implicated several high-ranking government officials, including the protagonist of the latest scandals, former socialist minister José Luis Ábalos. This Tuesday, we learned that the judge of the National Court, Santiago Pedraz, rejected the People's Party's request to transfer the case to the Supreme Court.

The National Court has dismissed the private prosecution's request for the Supreme Court to take over the investigation into the role of former socialist minister José Luis Ábalos. This, in the granting of the operator license to the company Villafuel. The company, which obtained the authorization in September 2022, allegedly evaded paying more than 180 million euros in VAT.

According to OKDIARIO, the magistrate has refused to recuse himself in favor of the high court. The decision is due to the judge's belief that there is "no indication" linking Ábalos to the scheme. This, regarding the obtaining of the license to operate in the hydrocarbons sector.

He also argues that the allegations presented lack support in the procedure's documentation and therefore can't be taken into consideration.

The People's Party had requested that the case be transferred to the Supreme Court. This, understanding that the investigations were beginning to point to a possible mediation by the former minister in granting the license to Villafuel.

The popular prosecution emphasized that the company did not meet the required financial criteria, as the Civil Guard's UCO had already warned in a report last year. Initially, the Ministry of Ecological Transition had refused to grant the license, but the authorization was granted after a capital increase.

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

The judge in charge of investigating the case known as Koldo in the National Court, Ismael Moreno, has dealt a blow to Koldo. Specifically to the request of former ministerial advisor Koldo García to have "the documentation and digital devices" returned. 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 it is not appropriate "to return the objects seized during the search. 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 the Delorme operation, 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 argued that "there would no longer be any reason not to return the confiscated electronic terminals." He explained that this would not prevent the Civil Guard's UCO 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 be returned without further delay. Without unnecessarily prolonging their seizure," García noted. All referring to the judicial resolution that authorized the search.