Latest news with #Cerdan
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Spain socialist heavyweight detained in corruption case: legal sources
MADRID: Spanish authorities on Monday detained former top Socialist party official Santos Cerdan in a corruption case that is a new blow for left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, judicial sources said. Former transport minister Jose Luis Abalos has also been implicated in the investigation into kickbacks for public contracts, which has created the biggest political crisis Sanchez has faced since taking office in 2018. The sources said a Supreme Court judge ordered the detention of Cerdan, who has quit as the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party organisation secretary -- the ruling party's number three post -- as there was a 'risk' he might try to flee or destroy evidence. He is being held without bail on allegations of corruption, money laundering and criminal association, the sources said. Cerdan denied the accusation in an audience with the lead investigating judge on Monday, saying he was the victim of a political plot, they said. Sanchez has sought to distance himself and the Socialist party from the scandal, which involves suspicions of dirty dealings in the purchase of health equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic. 'The Socialist party reacted firmly from the start,' the prime minister said. 'Santos Cerdan was dismissed' from the party when the revelations emerged, he added when questioned about the case at an international conference in Seville. A police report has said there was evidence including audio recordings suggesting Cerdan received payments in exchange for irregularly awarded public contracts. Abalos, the prime minister's former right-hand man, and a top adviser, Koldo Garcia, are also among the suspects targeted in the investigation. Sanchez has repeatedly apologized over the case and denied knowledge of the alleged scheme. But the opposition has called for the prime minister to resign.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Spanish judge orders PM's ex-ally to be remanded in custody in graft probe
Former Spanish Socialist lawmaker Santos Cerdan arrives to testify before a Supreme Court investigating judge in an alleged corruption case affecting the ruling Socialist Party in Madrid, Spain, June 30, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Medina Former Spanish Socialist lawmaker Santos Cerdan arrives to testify before a Supreme Court investigating judge in an alleged corruption case affecting the ruling Socialist Party in Madrid, Spain, June 30, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Medina Former Spanish Socialist lawmaker Santos Cerdan arrives to testify before a Supreme Court investigating judge in an alleged corruption case affecting the ruling Socialist Party in Madrid, Spain, June 30, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Medina Spanish judge orders PM's ex-ally to be remanded in custody in graft probe MADRID - A Spanish Supreme Court's investigating judge ordered ex-senior ruling Socialist Party official Santos Cerdan to be remanded in custody on Monday in a corruption inquiry that could destabilise Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's fragile minority government. The court denied bail for Cerdan, but did not immediately release any additional information. The Cerdan case was the latest and most serious in a series of scandals that have left Sanchez having to apologise and fend off calls from opponents for a snap election. Judge Leopoldo Puente is investigating allegations against Cerdan, former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos and the latter's aide Koldo Garcia that they received kickbacks for awarding public works contracts. Cerdan, who resigned earlier this month from his position as the Socialist Party's third-ranking official and lawmaker, denies the allegations. Both Abalos and Garcia say they are innocent. His resignation followed Puente's statement citing "strong evidence" of Cerdan's possible involvement in the "improper awarding" of contracts. Sanchez on Monday defended his Socialist Party's handling of the corruption allegations against Cerdan, saying that it had acted decisively by asking him to resign. "Justice must determine the responsibilities that Santos Cerdan may have," Sanchez told reporters during a summit in Seville. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Spanish judge orders remand in jail for PM's ex-ally in graft probe
Former Spanish Socialist lawmaker Santos Cerdan arrives to testify before a Supreme Court investigating judge in an alleged corruption case affecting the ruling Socialist Party in Madrid, Spain, June 30, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Medina MADRID (Reuters) -A Spanish Supreme Court's investigating judge on Monday ordered remand in custody for ex-senior ruling Socialist party official Santos Cerdan in a corruption inquiry that could destabilise Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's fragile minority government. The court said there would be no bail for Cerdan. The Cerdan case was the latest and most serious in a series of scandals that have left Sanchez having to apologise and fend off calls from opponents for snap elections. Judge Leopoldo Puente is investigating allegations against Cerdan, former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos and the latter's aide Koldo Gacia that they received kickbacks for awarding public works contracts. Cerdan, who resigned earlier this month from his position as the Socialist Party's third-ranking official and lawmaker, denies the charges. His resignation followed Puente's statement citing "strong evidence" of Cerdan's possible involvement in the "improper awarding" of contracts. (Reporting by Emma Pinedo, editing by Andrei Khalip and Aislinn Laing)
Reuters
2 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Spanish judge orders remand in jail for PM's ex-ally in graft probe
MADRID, June 30 (Reuters) - A Spanish Supreme Court's investigating judge on Monday ordered remand in custody for ex-senior ruling Socialist party official Santos Cerdan in a corruption inquiry that could destabilise Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's fragile minority government. The court said there would be no bail for Cerdan. The Cerdan case was the latest and most serious in a series of scandals that have left Sanchez having to apologise and fend off calls from opponents for snap elections. Judge Leopoldo Puente is investigating allegations against Cerdan, former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos and the latter's aide Koldo Gacia that they received kickbacks for awarding public works contracts. Cerdan, who resigned earlier this month from his position as the Socialist Party's third-ranking official and lawmaker, denies the charges. His resignation followed Puente's statement citing "strong evidence" of Cerdan's possible involvement in the "improper awarding" of contracts.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Spanish judge orders remand in jail for PM's ex-ally in graft probe
Former Spanish Socialist lawmaker Santos Cerdan arrives to testify before a Supreme Court investigating judge in an alleged corruption case affecting the ruling Socialist Party in Madrid, Spain, June 30, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Medina Former Spanish Socialist lawmaker Santos Cerdan arrives to testify before a Supreme Court investigating judge in an alleged corruption case affecting the ruling Socialist Party in Madrid, Spain, June 30, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Medina Former Spanish Socialist lawmaker Santos Cerdan arrives to testify before a Supreme Court investigating judge in an alleged corruption case affecting the ruling Socialist Party in Madrid, Spain, June 30, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Medina Spanish judge orders remand in jail for PM's ex-ally in graft probe MADRID - A Spanish Supreme Court's investigating judge on Monday ordered remand in custody for ex-senior ruling Socialist party official Santos Cerdan in a corruption inquiry that could destabilise Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's fragile minority government. The court said there would be no bail for Cerdan. The Cerdan case was the latest and most serious in a series of scandals that have left Sanchez having to apologise and fend off calls from opponents for snap elections. Judge Leopoldo Puente is investigating allegations against Cerdan, former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos and the latter's aide Koldo Gacia that they received kickbacks for awarding public works contracts. Cerdan, who resigned earlier this month from his position as the Socialist Party's third-ranking official and lawmaker, denies the charges. His resignation followed Puente's statement citing "strong evidence" of Cerdan's possible involvement in the "improper awarding" of contracts. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
