Ábalos has admitted that he had a "special connection" with Koldo and has downplayed the importance of knowing Aldama
The former minister has testified as a defendant before the Supreme Court and defended the appointment of the former adviser for his "loyalty."
Former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos has acknowledged in the Supreme Court that he had a "special connection" with former adviser Koldo García and that meeting businessman Victor de Aldama "is nothing to celebrate."
In his statement as accused, Ábalos explained that he appointed Koldo García as an adviser to the Ministry of Transport "to thank him" after having worked as a driver, personal assistant and security officer since he was PSOE's Secretary of Organization.
He has detailed that when he joined the ministry, the "only" way to continue these functions was to join his cabinet team in the free appointment advisory quota.
Thus, he emphasizes that the relationship with the former advisor went beyond the professional field . Ábalos acknowledges that personal proximity created a "special connection", since Koldo García participated in various aspects of his private life, but has stated that he did not share them with other collaborators.
With regard to Victor de Aldama, the former minister has stated that he does not remember exactly when he met him, but believes that the meeting took place in the last quarter of 2018, probably between September and October. He has explained that the presentation organised by Koldo García was "very quick" as he was about to get into a car and has ironically concluded the incident: "There is nothing to celebrate."
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office requests 24 years' imprisonment for Ábalos, 19 for Koldo García and 7 for Aldama, while popular accusations, led by the PP, have raised the petition to 30 years for the former minister and former adviser.
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