Unexpected Twist in Rubiales Case: Prosecutor Requests to Annul Trial

The prosecutor of the National Court has filed an appeal against the sentence that sentenced Luis Rubiales to 18 months of fines for sexual assault. This is due to the allegedly non-consensual kiss to Jenni Hermoso. The representative of the Public Prosecutor's Office, Marta Durántez, requests the annulment of the trial, arguing that she was not allowed to ask key questions or present certain evidence.

The prosecution considers that the process was marked by "defenselessness and arbitrariness." Therefore, it requests the repetition of the trial with a magistrate other than José Manuel Fernández Prieto, alleging a possible lack of impartiality.

The prosecutor of the National Court, Marta Durántez, has filed an appeal to annul the trial against Luis Rubiales. This is arguing that the magistrate who handled the case "was not impartial."

The sentence, issued on February 20, 2025, by the Central Criminal Court, acquitted Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, Rubén Rivera, and Albert Luque of the crime of coercion. Although it sentenced the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation to pay a fine for sexual assault after the kiss to Jenni Hermoso.

Durántez considers that the ruling is "an offense to the victim and to all people who have suffered sexual assaults." With her appeal, the Prosecutor's Office seeks to have the trial repeated under the supervision of a different judge, alleging that the lack of impartiality has affected the judicial process.

Likewise, the appeal argues that the application of article 178.1 of the Penal Code in this case was incorrect. This article stipulates penalties of between one and four years of imprisonment for those who commit acts that violate another person's sexual freedom without their consent. The decision now rests with the National Court, which must rule on the prosecutor's request.

The Prosecutor's Office Appeals the Sentence Against Luis Rubiales and Requests a Retrial

The Prosecutor's Office has filed an appeal for the retrial against Luis Rubiales for the non-consensual kiss to footballer Jennifer Hermoso. The National Court declared the crime of sexual assault proven and sentenced the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The sentence was 18 months of fines, with a daily fee of 20 euros.

However, the Public Prosecutor's Office has challenged the sentence and requests a new trial. This is with the aim of imposing a greater penalty, requesting a sentence of two and a half years of imprisonment. The final decision will rest with the court, which must evaluate the appeal filed.