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Spain’s Supreme Court Publishes Full Ruling Convicting Ex–Prosecutor General Over Ayuso Partner Leak

The published opinion clarifies the prosecutor general’s duty of confidentiality and its limits when responding to false claims.

Overview

  • The court upholds a 5–2 conviction of Álvaro García Ortiz for revelation of secrets, tying the leak of a February 2, 2024 email and a March 14 Fiscalía press note into a single unit of disclosure and imposing two years’ disqualification, a €7,200 fine and €10,000 in damages.
  • Judges say the fiscal chief, or someone in his immediate circle with his knowledge, supplied the email to Cadena SER and stress that officials cannot answer false reports by committing a crime under a reinforced duty of reserve.
  • The majority relies on circumstantial evidence such as access patterns, timing of communications and deletion of device data, while noting journalists’ prior access claims do not erase the confidentiality obligation.
  • A 53‑page dissent by Justices Susana Polo and Ana Ferrer argues the leak was not proven and deems the press note a lawful correction to false allegations, calling for García Ortiz’s acquittal.
  • The sentence is final within the Supreme Court, leaving only an extraordinary nullity incident and a possible constitutional amparo; after resigning on November 24, García Ortiz’s departure triggers a transition with Teresa Peramato positioned as successor.