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EPA

The nation's top prosecutor, the country's chief legal officer, has been compelled to step down after being convicted of revealing confidential information in a highly contentious case that has accentuated political divisions within the country.

Court Ruling and Sanctions

The Supreme Court found that García Ortiz had illegally disclosed details about the tax situation of businessman a prominent business figure, who is the boyfriend of a senior conservative politician.

The court imposed a two-year ban from his post and a penalty of €7,200. Additionally, he must compensate ten thousand euros to Mr González Amador as restitution.

Political Fallout

The trial of García Ortiz intensified the already acrimonious relationship between the progressive administration of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the conservative political forces.

Divergent viewpoints were highlighted by reactions to the guilty verdict.

"Sánchez must apologise to Spaniards, resign and schedule new elections, in that sequence," said Ester Muñoz for the main opposition party.

The administration stated it disagreed with the decision but respected it and would move forward with the selection of a replacement prosecutor.

Judicial Dispute

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

Health Minister Mónica García, of the progressive coalition, stated the conviction dealt a "lethal blow to the principle of innocent until proven guilty" and threw ordinary Spaniards under the bus when it came to the rule of law.

Case Background

The complicated legal matter dates back to spring of 2024, when the prosecutor's department issued a press release indicating that Mr González Amador had requested a plea bargain after being discovered avoiding tax obligations worth over 350,000 euros.

The statement corrected inaccurate media coverage stating that the attorney general's office had proposed the bargain.

The origin of the incorrect reports was the communications director of the conservative regional president of Madrid.

Court Case Details

Mr González Amador lodged a legal action against the chief prosecutor, claiming his confidentiality was violated. The case against the attorney general also saw him accused of leaking information about the affair to the media.

Legal authorities pointed to the attorney general's decision to change his phone as suspicious.

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

Concerning the official communication, the attorney general stated he was merely rectifying the erroneous reports.

The attorney general can challenge the ruling.

Broader Political Context

This comes as 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
• His wife is being examined for her commercial dealings
• Two former senior figures in the Socialist Party are facing charges of managing a massive kickback scheme