Overview
- Swiss officials say an explosion triggered a violent fire at a Crans-Montana leisure venue around 1:30 a.m. on January 1, leaving about 40 dead and more than 100 injured, and they have opened a criminal investigation while ruling out an attack.
- Spain’s judiciary has opened oral proceedings against Alberto González Amador, partner of Madrid’s regional president, on alleged tax fraud, document falsification and criminal group charges, with prosecutors seeking up to three years and nine months in prison and trial expected in 2026.
- A judge also opened oral proceedings against actor Luis Lorenzo over alleged degrading treatment and related offenses, with the prosecution requesting six years in prison for him and co-accused Arantxa Palomino.
- In the ‘ITV case,’ former Móstoles mayor Noelia Posse is expected to face trial in 2026, with the Madrid prosecutor seeking a 12-year disqualification from public office over alleged municipal harm tied to debt forgiveness.
- Year-end violence prompted arrests and active probes across Argentina, Peru and Spain, including a detainee in Marcona for a fatal stabbing, a suspect held in Villa María for the killing of Delfina Aimino, a brother arrested in Salta after a deadly fight, a Madrid homicide inquiry with no arrests yet, and an Andalgalá investigation expanding after two suspected robbers died during a failed heist.