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EPA

Spain's top prosecutor, Álvaro García Ortiz, has been forced to resign after being convicted of revealing confidential information in a deeply controversial case that has intensified political divisions within the country.

Court Ruling and Penalties

The Supreme Court found that García Ortiz had unlawfully revealed information about the tax status of entrepreneur Alberto González Amador, who is the boyfriend of a leading opposition figure.

The court handed down a 24-month prohibition from his post and a fine of €7,200. Furthermore, he must pay ten thousand euros to Mr González Amador as compensation.

Political Consequences

The trial of the attorney general fueled the previously strained relationship between the progressive administration of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the conservative political forces.

Divergent viewpoints were highlighted by responses to the guilty verdict.

"Sánchez must offer an apology to the Spanish people, step down and schedule new elections, in that order," said Ester Muñoz for the main opposition party.

The government stated it did not agree with the ruling but acknowledged it and would move forward with the selection of a replacement prosecutor.

Judicial Dispute

However, numerous politicians on the left expressed outrage at what they perceived as a decision influenced by politics.

Health Minister Mónica García, of the progressive coalition, stated the conviction dealt a "devastating impact to the principle of innocent until proven guilty" and compromised citizens' rights when it came to the legal system.

Case Background

The complex case originated in March 2024, when the prosecutor's department issued a press release indicating that Mr González Amador had sought a negotiated settlement after being discovered avoiding tax payments worth over 350,000 euros.

The document rectified inaccurate media coverage stating that the prosecutor's department had proposed the bargain.

The source of the false information was the head of communications of the conservative regional president of Madrid.

Court Case Details

Mr González Amador filed a complaint against the chief prosecutor, claiming his privacy had been breached. The case against the attorney general also saw him accused of leaking information about the affair to the press.

Prosecutors highlighted the prosecutor's decision to change his phone as incriminating.

However, there was no direct evidence linking the attorney general to the leak and several journalists testified during the trial that he had not provided information of their reporting.

Concerning the official communication, the prosecutor stated he was simply correcting the erroneous reports.

The attorney general can appeal against the ruling.

Broader Political Context

This represents a severe blow for the prime minister, who has been under judicial pressure on various fronts.

• A family member is due to go on trial for influence peddling
• The prime minister's spouse is being examined for her commercial dealings
• Two former senior figures in the governing political organization are accused of overseeing a large-scale corruption operation