Spanish ex-Minister accused of bribery in Covid mask scandal

by Else BeekmanElse Beekman
Minister Ábalos Covid Mask scandal

Former Spanish Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos is facing fresh allegations of corruption in the ongoing Caso Koldo scandal, a high-profile investigation into bribes tied to multi-million euro mask procurement deals during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Businessman Víctor del Aldama, a key figure in the case, testified on Tuesday before the Supreme Court that Ábalos personally received hundreds of thousands of euros in illicit payments. The claims directly contradict the former minister’s repeated denials.

The Koldo connection

The scandal, named after Koldo García, Ábalos’ former advisor and confidant, has widened significantly since it first broke earlier this year. García, a former nightclub bouncer turned trusted aide, orchestrated the purchase of masks and medical supplies worth €54 million at the peak of Spain’s pandemic crisis. Normal public procurement procedures were bypassed in favour of hastily arranged contracts.

The first orders were placed by Renfe/ADIF, the national railway company, and Spain’s port authority, both under the remit of the Ministry of Transport led by Ábalos. Additional deals were struck with regional governments in the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands. These agreements were signed during Spain’s strict nationwide lockdown between March and May 2020, a period when thousands of lives were lost to Covid-19.

Bribery claims emerge

Del Aldama, recently detained for his involvement in another fraud case, claimed in his testimony that he paid €400,000 in bribes to Ábalos and an additional €200,000 to Koldo García. According to Del Aldama, the payments were not limited to pandemic-related contracts but also extended to public works projects. Spanish media report that WhatsApp messages supporting his claims have been presented to investigators.

Ábalos, who was expelled from Spain’s Socialist Party (PSOE) earlier this year, has strongly denied any wrongdoing. He maintains that he had no knowledge of the deals struck by García or Del Aldama.

Expanding investigation

The allegations have triggered a sweeping investigation by Spain’s Public Prosecutor’s Office, focusing on charges including bribery, money laundering, influence peddling, and criminal organisation. Evidence collected by the Guardia Civil reportedly includes phone records, commercial documents, and witness testimonies. García and his wife and brother were among 14 individuals arrested in February.

García is set to appear before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, though he has previously exercised his right to remain silent during judicial hearings.

Political fallout

The corruption scandal poses a significant challenge to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has consistently framed himself as a champion of transparency and anti-corruption measures. Sánchez came to power in 2018 after a no-confidence vote against the previous Partido Popular government, which was embroiled in its own corruption scandal.

Also read: Prime Minister Sánchez and Socialists in a corner due to Covid masks scandal

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