Spanish judge calls on top Sanchez ally to testify over alleged public works kickbacks
MADRID - A Spanish Supreme Court judge on Thursday invited a senior official in Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist Party to testify, saying there was evidence he was involved in kickbacks from construction companies in exchange for public contracts.
In a report provided to Judge Leopoldo Puente, police said they had a recording of Santos Cerdan, a lawmaker and the Socialist Party's organisational secretary, discussing kickbacks with former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos, according to the left-leaning radio station Cadena Ser.
The judge, who unsealed the case on Thursday, called for Cerdan to testify on June 25 after finding "there is strong evidence of the possible involvement" of Cerdan in the "improper awarding of the aforementioned public works in exchange for a price," according to a court statement. Such acts constitute crimes of criminal organisation and bribery, the statement said.
Sanchez's fragile coalition has been hit by a series of allegations over the past year that have threatened to destabilise the government, including a high-profile probe into whether his wife Begona Gomez used her status to influence her business dealings.
Cerdan on Thursday said he had no recollection of the conversation.
"I have not been involved in any such conversation and this afternoon or tomorrow, when we know the contents of the report, I will call a press conference to which you are all invited," he said in comments to the press in parliament.
The Socialist Party on Wednesday said Cerdan was innocent and would provide explanations once the police report was made public.
"Santos Cerdan neither participated in nor influenced the awarding of public works contracts. He has never received a commission for doing so," it said in a statement issued late on Wednesday. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
42 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Mexico's president says her flag should not fly over protests that turn violent
The Mexican flag has become a symbol of defiance in demonstrations against immigration raids. PHOTO: AFP Mexico's president says her flag should not fly over protests that turn violent MEXICO CITY – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on June 13 said the appearance of the flag of Mexico at protests that had turned violent in the United States was a 'provocation' that threatened to tarnish her country's reputation. The Mexican flag has become a symbol of defiance in demonstrations against immigration raids while also a flash point among supporters of those policies. Ms Sheinbaum has tried to balance her response to the protests by defending Mexican nationals while condemning violence, and this week she denied an accusation by a top Trump official that she had encouraged violence. Ms Sheinbaum on June 13 broadly criticised images of disturbances on US streets that featured the Mexican flag, without offering who she believed was responsible for flying her country's banner. The images of protesters waving the flag, she said, 'have all the appearance of being a provocation and of wanting to generate a certain image of Mexico.' Ms Sheinbaum specifically referred to a widely circulated picture of a shirtless man waving Mexico's green, white and red flag while atop a vandalised car in Los Angeles. 'That does not mean that we are not outraged by the way Mexicans and other nationalities are being detained in the United States. We are against these raids,' she added. 'But we must be very clear that these violent actions are a provocation. From whom? We do not know.' Ms Sheinbaum's remarks underscored how she is trying to balance Mexico's relations with the United States as the countries negotiate tariffs and the Trump administration's pushing of Mexico to do more against drug cartels. She has also underscored the detention of at least 61 Mexican nationals in Los Angeles, including some who have already been deported. In many cases, Ms Sheinbaum said, the Mexican government believes that the detainees were denied due process and consulate officials have provided legal council. Earlier this week, Ms Sheinbaum faced accusations from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of encouraging demonstrations in Los Angeles. On June 10, Ms Noem told reporters: 'Claudia Sheinbaum came out and encouraged more protests in LA, and I condemn her for that.' 'People are allowed to peacefully protest,' Ms Noem added. 'But the violence that we're seeing is not acceptable, and it's not going to happen in America.' Ms Sheinbaum said on social media that the accusation was 'absolutely false.' She noted that she had repeatedly condemned violent demonstrations, a point she repeated on June 13. 'When you are against something, you have every right to demonstrate peacefully,' she said, and called on her fellow Mexicans to not join violent demonstrations. 'Even more so if you are in the United States: You have to do it peacefully.' NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Trump reports tens of millions in income from crypto ventures
Mr Donald Trump reported US$57.35 million (S$73 million) from token sales at crypto firm World Liberty Financial. PHOTO: REUTERS Trump reports tens of millions in income from crypto ventures President Donald Trump filed his first public financial disclosure report of his term on June 13, providing what he said was the latest information about his holdings, including income from his family's foray into cryptocurrencies. Mr Trump reported US$57.35 million (S$73 million) from token sales at crypto firm World Liberty Financial. He also reported holding $15.75 billion governance tokens in the venture. The annual report was signed as of June 13, but it was not immediately clear what time period it covered. The disclosure also showed the income from Mr Trump's properties in Florida. Mr Trump's three golf-focused resorts in the state - Jupiter, Doral and West Palm Beach – plus his nearby private members' club at Mar-A-Lago, generated at least $217.7 million in income, according to the filing. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
At the UN, Iran accuses US of being complicit in Israel's strikes
UNITED NATIONS - Iran has accused the United States of being complicit in Israel's attacks on the Islamic Republic, which Washington denied, telling Tehran at the United Nations Security Council that it would 'be wise' to negotiate over its nuclear programme. Iran launched retaliatory strikes on Israel late on June 13 after Israel attacked Iran earlier in the day. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said Iran had been 'preparing for war' and Israel's strikes were 'an act of national preservation'. His Iranian counterpart, Amir Saeid Iravani, accused Israel of seeking 'to kill diplomacy, to sabotage negotiations, and to drag the region into wider conflict,' and he said Washington's complicity was 'beyond doubt'. 'Those who support this regime, with the United States at the forefront, must understand that they are complicit,' Mr Iravani told the Security Council. 'By aiding and enabling these crimes, they share full responsibility for the consequences.' US President Donald Trump on June 13 said that he had given Tehran a 60-day ultimatum, which expired a day earlier, to make a deal over its escalating uranium enrichment programme. A sixth round of US-Iran talks had been scheduled to take place in Oman on June 15, but it was unclear whether it would go ahead. Mr Danon said Israel had been patient despite mounting risks. 'We waited for diplomacy to work ... We watched negotiations stretch on, as Iran made false concessions or refused the most fundamental conditions,' he told the Security Council. He said intelligence had confirmed Iran could have produced enough fissile material for multiple bombs within days. Senior US official McCoy Pitt said the United States will continue to seek a diplomatic resolution that ensures Iran will never acquire a nuclear weapon or pose a threat to stability in the Middle East. 'Iran's leadership would be wise to negotiate at this time,' Mr Pitt told the council. While Washington was informed of Israel's initial strikes ahead of time, it was not militarily involved, he said. UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council the above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Iran's Natanz nuclear site had been destroyed, and that Iran has reported that nuclear sites at Fordow and Isfahan were also attacked. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
