The Minister of the Presidency, Felix Bolanostransferred the government’s “full support” to the state attorney general, Álvaro Garcia Ortizwho was indicted by the Supreme Court for revealing confidential data of Alberto Gonzalez Amadorbusinessman and associate of the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
Bolaños was convinced that this case “will lead to nothing”, although he also wanted to show “total respect for the judicial resolution”.
The minister appeared this Wednesday before the Congress of Deputies, after García Ortiz’s accusation became known. It is the first time in a democracy that a state attorney general has been indicted, but Bolaños downplayed its significance.
The Supreme Court’s investigation will focus on an informative note published by the Madrid Provincial Prosecutor’s Office last March to clarify a series of false news from some media that claimed that the Public Prosecutor’s Office had offered a criminal compliance agreement to González Amador and then withdrew to force him to go to trial.
Garcia Ortiz took responsibility for this published notewho also explained that the agreement was proposed by González Amador’s lawyers and not by the prosecution.
According to the Supreme Court, the note contains data and information that cannot be disclosed to third parties with the aim of harming González Amador. Pilar Rodríguez Fernández will also be concerned, who allegedly sent the necessary data to the State Attorney General that should not have been disseminated from the said press release.
As Bolaños explained, “from the entourage of the President of the Community of Madrid uncertain and false information is being spread, which amounts to saying that the Prosecutor’s Office is trying to reach an agreement” and the Prosecutor’s Office only denies it . . “Can it be a crime to tell the truth and deny a hoax?” the minister said during a brief appearance.
“We’re going to continue to help all of these prosecutors, all of these public officials who dedicate their work to prosecuting a crime,” he said. “Between confessed criminals and prosecutors who tell the truth, the government ends up with the prosecutors,” he added.
Minutes before Bolaños’ speech, the government line was set by the first vice president and Minister of Finance, Maria Jesus Monterowho defended the “professionalism and honorability” of Álvaro García Ortiz. The vice president said she “defended herself against a lie” from Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
He also considers that those who do not like the actions of the prosecution are trying to “demonize” it and “attempt to file a complaint” against García Ortiz. “But I insist, the important thing here is that the Prosecutor’s Office defended itself solely and exclusively against a lie from Ms. Ayuso,” he stressed in the halls of Congress.
After hearing the news, It was Álvaro García Ortiz himself who issued a statement informing that he has no intention of resigning.
“Convinced that the continuity of the mandate is the least burdensome and most prudent for the institution in the medium and long term, and that it essentially strengthens the independence of the Spanish public prosecutor’s office, I announce my intention to continue to exercise my responsibilities of Attorney General of the State”, specifies the Attorney General of the State in the press release.
“I am aware of the public repercussions of this news and I am not unaware of the impact it will have on the work of prosecutors in our country. But it is precisely the consideration of these circumstances that persuades me to continue practicing fully exercise my legal powers, as I have done so far: in full respect of the law and the rule of law,” he adds.
