Zapatero's secretary refuses to testify before the Senate inquiry committee
Gertrudis Alcazar exercised his right to remain silent on Monday and avoided answering questions from the PP, Vox and UPN.
The secretary of the former President of the Government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Gertrudis Alcazar , onMonday exercised his right to remain silent during his appearance before the Senate committee investigating the management of the Spanish State Company for Industrial Participation (SEPI).
At the beginning of the hearing, he explained that he is being prosecuted in a judicial inquiry, and that this case is related to the issues being dealt with in the committee. He said that, on the advice of the defence, he would not answer questions for the protection of fundamental rights. He also asked that this decision not be seen as contempt for the Senate.
After this opening statement, Alcázar did not speak again, but remained silent for almost two hours, and did not answer the questions put to him by the parliamentary groups.
The PP's Position
PP Senator Rocío Dívar has begun the questionnaire by asking him about his relationship with Zapatero, the management of the former president's agenda and bills, jewellery in his office safe, etc. He has also asked him questions about Zapatero's relations with South American businessmen and political leaders , all of which have remained unanswered.
At the end of the session, Dívar announced that the PP will request a new appearance of Alcázar. He explained that this is the usual practice when the person appearing refuses to answer questions. In his last speech, he further stated that Alcázar has "obedience" and "great loyalty" to Zapatero and recommended that he prioritize his judicial defence.
PSOE and the presumption of innocence
PSOE Senator Amparo Marco referred to Alcázar's relationship with the SEPI, stating that he should never have been called to a commission of inquiry into the management of state society because he had no connection with the SEPI.
In his turn of conclusions, Marco complained that the presumption of innocence of the person who appeared had not been respected and asked how the damage to his image would be repaired.
Vox and UPN
For his part, Vox Senator Paloma Gomez asked him about private messages attributed to Zapatero, leaked from a police report, about the former president's relationship with the PSOE and about the loan to the airline Plus Ultra, questions to which Alcázar has not even answered.
On behalf of UPN, María Caballero asks about the advisory work carried out by Zapatero, who has been warned by the President of the Commission, who has asked him to present some of the facts mentioned as alleged, and has recommended that Alcazar cooperate with the justice system.
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