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EPA

Spain's top prosecutor, the country's chief legal officer, has been compelled to resign after being convicted of disclosing confidential information in a deeply controversial case that has intensified political divisions within the country.

Court Ruling and Penalties

The Supreme Court determined that the attorney general had illegally disclosed information about the tax status of entrepreneur Alberto González Amador, who is the boyfriend of a leading opposition figure.

The judicial body handed down a two-year ban from his position and a fine of seven thousand two hundred euros. Furthermore, he must compensate €10,000 to the businessman as compensation.

Political Consequences

The trial of the attorney general intensified the already acrimonious relations between the progressive administration of the nation's leader and the conservative political forces.

Divergent viewpoints were highlighted by reactions to the guilty verdict.

"The prime minister must offer an apology to Spaniards, step down and schedule new elections, in that sequence," said Ester Muñoz for the conservative People's Party.

The government stated it disagreed with the decision but respected it and would proceed with the appointment of a new attorney general.

Legal Controversy

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

A cabinet member, of the progressive coalition, stated the guilty verdict dealt a "lethal blow to the principle of innocent until proven guilty" and compromised citizens' rights when it came to the rule of law.

Origins of the Matter

The complicated legal matter dates back to spring of 2024, when the attorney general's office issued a official statement indicating that the businessman had requested a plea bargain after being found to have evaded tax payments worth over 350,000 euros.

The statement rectified inaccurate media coverage stating that the attorney general's office had initiated the settlement.

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

Court Case Details

The businessman lodged a legal action against the attorney general, alleging his privacy had been breached. The case against García Ortiz also included allegations of disclosing details about the matter to the media.

Prosecutors highlighted the attorney general's decision to change his phone as suspicious.

However, there was no direct evidence linking García Ortiz to the disclosure and several journalists stated under oath during the proceedings that he had not been the source of their reporting.

Regarding the press statement, the prosecutor stated he was simply correcting the inaccurate information.

García Ortiz can challenge the decision.

Wider Political Implications

This comes as a severe blow for the prime minister, who has been under judicial pressure on multiple issues.

• His brother is due to go on trial for influence peddling
• The prime minister's spouse is under investigation for her commercial dealings
• Two former senior figures in the Socialist Party are accused of managing a massive kickback scheme