Spain’s top prosecutor found guilty of media leak against opposition

Spains Supreme Court has convicted the countrys attorney general, Alvaro Garca Ortiz, for leaking confidential legal information in a case involving the conservative opposition, a ruling that marks a major setback for Prime Minister Pedro Snchez and his Socialist-led government. Garca Ortiz, appointed by Snchez in 2022 and staunchly defended by the administration throughout the controversy, was found guilty of improperly disclosing details about a tax investigation involving Alberto Gonzlez Amador, the partner of Madrid regional president and prominent conservative figure Isabel Daz Ayuso. The court ruled that Garca Ortiz must step down from his post for two years, pay a fine of around 7,300 and compensate Gonzlez Amador with 10,000 in damages. The scandal erupted in 2024 after leaked documents suggested Gonzlez Amador had proposed a plea deal admitting to alleged tax offences in exchange for avoiding trial and prison. Ayuso and the Popular Party accused Garca Ortiz of orchestrating the leak to politically damage her ahead of key national political manoeuvring. PP leader Alberto Nez Feijo called the conviction unprecedented and said it would always hang over Snchez, demanding the prime minister apologise for what he described as a politically motivated operation. The government responded that it respects the ruling, but does not agree with it, and confirmed that the process to appoint a new attorney general would begin soon. During his trial, Garca Ortiz denied wrongdoing, arguing through his legal team that he was the target of a coordinated attempt by the Madrid regional government to distract from Gonzlez Amadors tax case and shield Ayuso from political fallout. Public prosecutors had sought his acquittal, saying no evidence proved he ordered the leak. The ruling adds to mounting legal pressure on Snchezs government, which has been shaken by separate corruption investigations involving the prime ministers wife, his brother and former Socialist Party officials. The Popular Party has repeatedly called for Snchez to resign and call an early election, accusing his administration of widespread misconduct. Snchez has dismissed the corruption allegations as a politically driven smear campaign orchestrated by the right.The post Spains top prosecutor found guilty of media leak against opposition appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.