Feed MRSS-S jose_luis_abalos_a, english.elpais.com en-us https://english.elpais.com Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:24:51 GMT https://english.elpais.com/spain/2026-06-22/spains-supreme-court-sentences-former-socialist-minister-abalos-to-24-years-behind-bars.html Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:24:51 GMT https://english.elpais.com/spain/2026-06-22/spains-supreme-court-sentences-former-socialist-minister-abalos-to-24-years-behind-bars.html Reyes Rincón Two aides to the disgraced official also received prison sentences over corruption during the Covid pandemic. The ruling increases the pressure on the government of Pedro Sánchez, which is dealing with several high-profile probes Two aides to the disgraced official also received prison sentences over corruption during the Covid pandemic. The ruling increases the pressure on the government of Pedro Sánchez, which is dealing with several high-profile probes Pedro Sánchez Koldo García José Luis Ábalos PSOE Coronavirus Covid-19 - (EFE) Spain’s Supreme Court sentences Ábalos Screengrab of the Supreme Court feed showing Víctor de Aldama, José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García during the trial at the Supreme Court. Screengrab of the Supreme Court feed showing Víctor de Aldama, José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García during the trial at the Supreme Court. <p>Spain’s Supreme Court has delivered a decision in the first trial of the so-called <i>Koldo case</i>, focused on alleged corrupt practices in the public purchase of facemasks during <a href="https://elpais.com/especiales/coronavirus-covid-19/a-room-a-bar-and-a-class-how-the-coronavirus-is-spread-through-the-air/" target="_self" rel="" title="https://elpais.com/especiales/coronavirus-covid-19/a-room-a-bar-and-a-class-how-the-coronavirus-is-spread-through-the-air/">the Covid-19 pandemic</a>. The court’s Criminal Chamber has sentenced José Luis Ábalos, who was the minister overseeing the department in charge of the contracts, to 24 years and three months in prison. Two other key figures in the case, former ministerial adviser Koldo García and businessman Víctor de Aldama, were sentenced to 18 years and a half and four years and a half, respectively, for running “a criminal organization” whose aim was to obtain a profit “by virtue of the office held by Ábalos.” </p><p><a href="https://english.elpais.com/spain/2026-06-22/spains-supreme-court-sentences-former-socialist-minister-abalos-to-24-years-behind-bars.html" target="_blank">Seguir leyendo</a></p>