Koldo García, who was advisor to former minister José Luis Ábalos, not only took the photo that, in 2019, captured the meeting during an electoral event between the president of the government, Pedro Sánchez, and the alleged perpetrator of the “Koldo plot”, Víctor de Aldama, but also recorded a little video of the moment in which both posed to be photographed.
In this video, to which Ep had access, you can see how the two position themselves for photography in a relaxed atmosphere after an event presenting Pepu Hernández as socialist candidate for Madrid City Hall. The video and the carousel of photographs of the meeting between the businessman indicted by the National Court and the president were produced by Koldo García.
Asked about this fact, in statements to Ep, the former ministerial advisor stressed that this meeting took place “in a corridor of the theater which gives access to the room» where the seats are located – thus contradicting the version given by De Aldama according to which it took place in a cabin.
He indicated that it was he himself who had asked the president’s security to be able to take this photo and that the meeting had in fact “a moment, 20 seconds, 15, that’s all“. “I put them in front of the door so that they are clearly seen and then they leave” – the president emphasized.
In the video, which lasts only two seconds, we can see how they are positioned for photography in an access area, and in the background we hear laughter and the voice of Koldo García who says “now yes”.
Aldama’s version: “It was not accidental”
De Aldama, in his voluntary statement before Judge Ismael Moreno on November 21, explained that he went to this event at the request of the former minister and Koldo García. And he claimed that during a brief meeting in a private room at Madrid’s Teatro de La Latina, Sánchez told him: “Thank you for what you are doing, you kept me informed.”
Questioned by his lawyer José Antonio Choclán, the businessman wanted to “clarify” that he had not participated in the event but rather that they “had made him go to an event (… ) to speak with the president”.
“Because the president wanted to meet me and talk to me. In other words, I am not participating in a Socialist Party event. Mr. Ábalos (…) and Koldo are making me leave,” he said, then added that It wasn’t a chance encounter“not at all”, and that the photo with Sánchez “is taken in a reserved place where only” the president, Koldo and him are.
“The president said to me verbatim: ‘thank you for what you do, keep me informed‘, and I tell him, you don’t have to thank me, and the conversation lasts a little longer. I go out, the president stays, I talk to Koldo, I don’t know what, and immediately, 30 seconds later, Koldo comes out and the president comes out,” he said.
Regarding the subject for which he thanked him, De Aldama explained to the prosecutor that it was for “the efforts” he had made on “the question of Mexico”. “The trip – to Mexico – was a success.. That is to say, they arrived with a signed agreement and with other projects on the table, such as the possible management of several airports in Mexico by AENA. So to me, it’s not like it’s a proven thing. I mean, for me it was a success,” he said.
Sánchez’s version: “What an invention”
Sánchez, for his part, denied everything De Aldama said before the judge of the National Court, assuring that his government is “clean” and emphasizing that the speaker is “a suspected criminal» who at that time was looking to get out of prison. “The defense strategy of this character is lies,” he told the press at the Congress of Deputies.
Along the same lines, he spoke about the immediate controversy that, according to what Aldama told instructor Ismael Moreno, was created at the initiative of Sánchez to reward his efforts in Mexico. “What an invention», Launched the head of the Executive. “I was waiting a little less for this man to arrive so that I could organize the rally,” he said in an ironic tone.
