Ex-ally of Spanish PM arrested in graft probe: court
Summary
Spain's Supreme Court has ordered the arrest of Jose Luis Abalos, a former ally of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in a corruption probe involving kickbacks for Covid-19 public contracts, threatening the stability of Sanchez's minority government.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court of Spain ordered the arrest of Jose Luis Abalos in a corruption investigation.
- Abalos and former adviser Koldo Garcia face charges including bribery, influence peddling, and embezzlement.
- Prosecutors have sought 24 years in prison for Abalos and 19.5 years for Garcia.
- The scandal has destabilized Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's leftist minority coalition government.
