The former Socialist minister José Luis Ábalos, currently in provisional prison in the framework of the so-called ‘Koldo case’, has denied that there was illegal financing in the PSOE, “at least” during his time as secretary of Organization, and has assured that he has no evidence of “criminal acts or illicit activities” that could compromise the president of the Government, Pedro Sánchez.
So he says in a written interview broadcast Wednesday by the program ‘Mañaneros 360’ of TVE and collected by Europa Press, in which Ábalos also addresses his coexistence in prison with his former adviser Koldo García, with whom he shares a cell in the penitentiary center of Soto del Real. “It’s good,” he maintains, although he admits that they have had to “learn to live together” in a reduced space for which “no one is made”.
“To abscond is completely absurd.”
Asked if he has considered fleeing, Ábalos has flatly rejected it, calling that option “completely absurd”. He has defended that he has “all possible roots” in Spain and added that he is the father of a minor son, so, he says, he must fulfill his parental obligations and the payment of the pension. “It doesn’t make any sense,” he insisted.
Criticizes the withdrawal of his certificate
The former minister has stated that his entry into prison responds to an attempt to “eliminate a man and a politician” and has denounced that he is deprived of representing in Congress those who voted for him. He has also charged against the “haste” of the Bureau of Congress in the proceedings to withdraw his status as a deputy and has argued that it should have waited for the resolution of his appeal against his imprisonment.
In the interview, Ábalos assures that he does not recognize himself in the audios that, according to the investigation, Koldo García would have recorded him. “I do not recognize my voice,” he says, adding that this question will be settled in the trial. He also confirms that he will request the nullity of the evidence.
Denies the million euros and qualifies the UCO report
The former minister has denied that the alleged ‘hydrocarbon plot’ paid him a million euros in exchange for favors, as stated in a report of the UCO. In his opinion, the document does not support that claim and ensures that it is mentioned that 680,000 euros were used to buy a house in La Alcaidesa (Cadiz) and that the rest “was taken by Aldama”. Ábalos says that he paid rent and that he paid three monthly payments until he was evicted.
“It’s not just me who will be remembered.”
On how he believes he will be remembered in the future, Ábalos maintains that it will depend on the outcome of his judicial process, although he warns: “Of course I will not be the only one who will be remembered”.
This Tuesday, his defense asked the Supreme Court that he be tried by a popular jury for alleged irregularities in the purchase of masks during the pandemic.
Ábalos is the first incumbent national deputy to go to prison and faces up to 30 years in jail in the trial for alleged irregularities in this contracting.
