The Spanish Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal from the country’s Attorney General in an attempt to avoid standing trial for allegedly disclosing confidential legal information aimed at undermining the right-wing opposition – marking another political setback for socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Álvaro García Ortiz (main image) is now set to face trial on charges of violating judicial secrecy after case details were leaked regarding Alberto Gónzalez Amador, the partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the prominent right-wing regional leader of Madrid.
The opposition People’s Party (PP) has accused Sánchez’s political allies of orchestrating the leak to discredit Ayuso – a figure seen as a rising star on the Spanish right. ALSO READ: Smear campaigns & ‘mafia practices’ – the alleged corruption saga against Spain’s PM rolls on.
The controversy stems from a draft agreement that surfaced in Spanish media last year, reportedly showing negotiations between the prosecutor’s office and Gónzalez Amador’s lawyer. The businessman, currently under investigation for suspected tax fraud, had allegedly proposed admitting guilt in return for avoiding a trial and potential imprisonment. ALSO READ: Partner of Madrid regional leader Ayuso faces alleged tax fraud probe.
Following a complaint by Gónzalez Amador, the Supreme Court launched an inquiry into Ortiz in October. The businessman, whose health company saw substantial profits during the Covid-19 crisis in 2020 and 2021, claimed the disclosure of details from his case was unlawful. ALSO READ: Madrid leader’s partner takes legal steps to sue Pedro Sánchez for calling him a ‘criminal’.
Ortiz, appointed by Sánchez’s administration in 2022, has maintained his innocence, denying that either he or his office shared information about the case.
In its announcement Tuesday, the Supreme Court said it had rejected Ortiz’s appeal and ‘decided by majority that the evidence gathered during the investigation … is sufficient to proceed with an accusation related to the investigated events’.
The court further concluded that the disclosure of case communications – ‘which contained confidential information and should not have been published … was an act coordinated and promoted personally’ by Ortiz.
In response, the PP reiterated its demand for Ortiz to resign. Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo posted on X: ‘Whoever sits in the dock cannot prosecute crimes.’
Meanwhile, Sánchez publicly reaffirmed his support for Ortiz, speaking to reporters during a visit to Mallorca and after a meeting with king Felipe VI: ‘We believe in his innocence, and therefore he has the backing and support of the government.’
This development adds to a series of legal headaches plaguing the left-wing coalition government, which is already facing separate corruption probes involving Sánchez’s wife, his brother, and several former Socialist Party officials. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez vows not to quit, and presents 15-point anti-corruption plan.
ALSO READ: People’s Party now hit by alleged corruption scandal surrounding former finance minister.
Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter from Spain in English.
Sánchez cierra filas con el fiscal general y niega una crisis de Gobierno https://t.co/PMTUbq51U8 pic.twitter.com/sa6MtNnrRt
— Europa Press TV (@europapress_tv) July 29, 2025
El PP insta al Gobierno a cesar a Álvaro García Ortiz si se aferra al cargo de fiscal general.https://t.co/MyJ8MRu3nX pic.twitter.com/xdz5pAdM3I
— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) July 30, 2025
Click here to get your business activity or services listed on our DIRECTORY.