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Spain’s Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Seeks Vistilla Hearing on Ábalos, Koldo Pretrial Release

The request follows a Supreme Court indictment seeking 24 years for Ábalos alongside a 19‑and‑a‑half‑year term for Koldo.

Overview

  • Prosecutor Alejandro Luzón asked magistrate Leopoldo Puente to convene an Article 505 vistilla to reconsider precautionary measures, a procedure that permits the court to weigh stricter controls including pretrial detention or release on bail.
  • Ábalos and Koldo remain free under passport withdrawal, a ban on leaving Spain, and fortnightly court check‑ins imposed by the Supreme Court instructor.
  • Judge Puente previously declined to change those conditions during October interrogations yet noted a growing flight risk as trial approaches and left open tougher measures.
  • The indictment ties both defendants to five alleged crimes linked to pandemic mask contracts: criminal organization, bribery, insider information abuse, influence peddling, and embezzlement.
  • Prosecutors also seek seven years for businessman Víctor de Aldama, applying a penalty reduction for cooperation, according to the filing described by El País.