A Spanish court opens an unprecedented investigation into the state prosecutor, who refuses to resign

For the first time, the Spanish justice system has opened a process to investigate the state attorney general for possible violation of confidential information, the country’s Supreme Court announced this Wednesday.

The head of the Public Ministry of Spain, Álvaro García Ortiz, has already issued a statement in which he stated that He has no intention of resigning, despite the investigation to which he will be subjected and the request in this regard from the majority of the prosecutor’s associations.

This Wednesday, this case is at the center of media attention in Spain, because it involves names linked to politics and the Popular Party (PP) and because it is unprecedented, as it is the first time that the State Attorney General will be investigated. by the courts.

What is at stake is the alleged disclosure of information.last March, about the companion of the president of the regional government of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso (PP), a businessman accused of tax fraud crimes.

The State Attorney General will be investigated for his possible involvement in the leak of emails exchanged between the Public Ministry and the businessman’s defense before the media, in which he acknowledged two crimes and proposed an agreement to repair debts with the authorities prosecutors.

The head of the Public Ministry did not comment on these emailsbut he assumed responsibility for publishing a statement from the Prosecutor’s Office in which he denied publicly disclosed information and clarified that businessman Álvaro González Amador had proposed an agreement to the State and thereby admitted that he had committed crimes.

The investigation into the State Attorney General’s Office announced this Wednesday by the Supreme Court of Spain is the result of a complaint from the businessman, for the disclosure of personal data and information that should have remained secret.

Two associations of prosecutors, including the one that represents the majority of prosecutors, asked this Wednesday for the resignation of Álvaro García Ortiz, considering that “he completely lost the authority that the State Prosecutor’s Office should have as the most responsible” and that it is the only one way to avoid “damage to the reputation” of your career and institution.

A third association, however, considered that the presumption of innocence was at stake and expressed its support for the attorney general’s actions..

The PP, the largest party in the Spanish Parliament and leader of the opposition to the left-wing government, also called for the prosecutor’s resignation.

The Government, through several ministers, defended the “professionalism and honorability” of the prosecutor and considered that he acted in this case in defense of the Public Ministry and against the lies spread publicly.

Álvaro García Ortiz has already announced that he will continue in the position, as he is convinced that “it is the least burdensome and the most prudent for the institution.” [o Ministério Público] in the medium and long term.”

The prosecutor says he is “aware of the public repercussions” news that he is the subject of a judicial investigation and stated that It is precisely “the consideration of these circumstances” that makes him remain in office.“with full respect for the law and the rule of law.”

Highlighting that the opening of an investigation by the attorney general is unprecedented, García Ortiz defended “a deep reflection” on what motivates her and “the circumstances that surround her.”

The prosecutor recalled that Spanish legislation assigns the Public Prosecutor’s Office the function of reporting on the relevant issues known to it to guarantee the right of citizens to reliable information, “even more so in a case like this, in which rumors or falsehoods compromised the image of the institution and several of its members.”

García Ortiz said that being formally the subject of investigation will allow him to fully exercise his right to defense.