Judge Leopoldo Puente has denied the request of the former Minister of Transport, José Luis Ábalos, to recover his passport, maintaining his obligation to appear before the Supreme Court every fifteen days. In his resolution, Puente has pointed out the considerable ‘incriminating power’ of three properties associated with Ábalos in the framework of the Koldo case.

The magistrate has rejected the appeal presented by Ábalos, who argued the lack of rational indications of crime as justification for the return of his passport. Puente recalled that one of the flats in Madrid was occupied by his partner for several years, which indicates that Ábalos could have had some kind of benefit.

Regarding the chalet in Cádiz, the judge points to the possibility that Ábalos may have received favours in exchange for influencing licences in the hydrocarbon sector, which has increased suspicions about his involvement. The ‘incriminating power’ of the properties, according to Puente, is significant at this stage of the proceedings.

Finally, although the former minister voluntarily appeared to testify, the magistrate has expressed that he cannot exclude the possibility that Ábalos acts differently in the future, given the scope of the possible sentences. Therefore, the restrictions imposed are considered ‘necessary and proportionate’.