Supreme Court setback for Ábalos: asks UCO to investigate his accounts and summons him

New setback for the former confidant of Pedro Sánchez. The Supreme Court has decided to advance the investigation against the former Minister of Transport, José Luis Ábalos, and has summoned him again to testify after receiving the request from Congress. Additionally, it has requested a detailed analysis of his assets.

Judge Leopoldo Puente has scheduled the appearance for next February 18 at 10:00 a.m. before the Second Chamber of the Supreme Court, now with the formal status of being investigated. After his statement, the possible application of precautionary measures will be evaluated. Carlos Moreno, chief of staff of the Minister of Finance, has also been summoned.

The case, driven by a private complaint and under the supervision of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, investigates alleged crimes of criminal organization. In addition to money laundering, bribery, influence peddling, and tax fraud. All of them related to emergency contracts awarded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The judge has requested the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard to provide a detailed report on the financial situation of Ábalos and his son, Víctor Ábalos. This analysis must include information on bank accounts, properties, vehicles, and company shares. In addition to consulting open sources to determine if they own or are linked to any assets or commercial companies.

These are the Supreme Court's suspicions about Ábalos

Ábalos remains in the eye of the storm. The Supreme Court has decided to urgently investigate the assets of the socialist politician. The accounts, properties, and assets linked to him and his family and personal circle have become a priority for investigators.

The Supreme Court has the theory that a large part of the assets that the former minister would have obtained thanks to the scheme is located abroad, according to El Confidencial.

The preparation of the asset report will take time, as will the analysis of his communications, which until now remained untouched without the proper authorization. They can now be examined for possible evidence. The UCO faces the challenge of finding evidence, despite the main suspect having had almost a year to prepare.

Ábalos has maintained a defense based on disqualifying the accusations of businessman Víctor De Aldama, calling them "lies." Additionally, he has questioned both the conclusions of the UCO and those presented in the reasoned report of Judge Ismael Moreno.