Francisco Martínez, Former Interior Secretary, Released from Custody by Audiencia Nacional
Court decision follows the Fiscalía's assessment that the risk of evidence destruction has diminished.
The Audiencia Nacional has granted provisional release to Francisco Martínez, the former Secretary of State for Security, who had been in custody since May 29 related to Operation Borrasca, a significant police investigation.
Judge María Tardón made the ruling as the Fiscalía requested his release, confirming that the evidence pertinent to the case is secure and no longer at risk of destruction or alteration.
Martínez’s arrest is linked to alleged involvement in a criminal organization that accessed sensitive databases of public entities, including the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) and the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC).
Investigations have identified him as having worked as a lawyer for Jos Luis Huertas Rubio, known as Alcasec, in 2021 when Huertas was arrested as a minor.
In a prior ruling, Judge Tardón noted Martínez's 'central role' in the supposed criminal organization, suggesting that he was crucial in designing and operating legal protections that allowed the group's members, especially Huertas, to act with continuity and anonymity.
The court documents emphasize Martínez's professional background, which combines legal expertise and prior political experience, inferring he would have provided legal cover for the illicit organization.
Further investigations revealed that Martínez allegedly accessed the stolen databases to fulfill personal information needs, demonstrating a trust-based relationship with the group and an understanding of their illegal activities.
Reports indicate that the hacking group led by Alcasec also breached databases in the Dominican Republic and Andorra to track the movements of Spanish citizens traveling to those countries.
This information combined with previously stolen data from various Spanish agencies may have been intended for high-level financial intelligence operations.
In a separate matter, the investigation committee examining the electrical blackout that occurred on April 28 in the Iberian Peninsula has emphasized the critical question of why system defense mechanisms failed.
According to EU experts, preliminary findings indicate power generation interruptions were recorded shortly before the blackout, leading to significant tension in the electricity systems of Spain and Portugal.
The plans to safeguard the electric system were activated but ultimately could not prevent the total failure.
The blackout was triggered by a cascade of generation losses that led to a decrease in frequency across the Iberian electrical system, thus causing Spain and Portugal to lose synchrony with the broader European grid.
The report details how lines between France and Spain were disconnected as a protective measure, resulting in the systemic collapse.
Post-incident, Spain and Portugal have jointly urged the French government to establish concrete timelines and binding commitments for enhancing electrical interconnections, acknowledging that while some progress has been made, the Iberian Peninsula continues to be viewed as an 'energy island' with interconnection levels below EU targets.
Additionally, the Attorney General has requested the Supreme Court to dismiss a case concerning an alleged information leak related to a tax proposal involving Alberto González Amador, partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Madrid regional government, amid allegations of tax fraud.
The Attorney General's counsel stated that the investigation lacked direct incriminating evidence against him and cited the existence of exculpatory evidence.
The defense argues that the circumstances surrounding the accusations represent a political strategy to mischaracterize the situation.
It was noted that information regarding González Amador's dealings was already circulating among journalists prior to the Attorney General's knowledge of it.
Furthermore, they assert that any further dissemination of information originating from this case stemmed from those close to González Amador, rather than from the Fiscalía itself, raising questions about the credibility of the claims made against the Attorney General.
Judge María Tardón made the ruling as the Fiscalía requested his release, confirming that the evidence pertinent to the case is secure and no longer at risk of destruction or alteration.
Martínez’s arrest is linked to alleged involvement in a criminal organization that accessed sensitive databases of public entities, including the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) and the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC).
Investigations have identified him as having worked as a lawyer for Jos Luis Huertas Rubio, known as Alcasec, in 2021 when Huertas was arrested as a minor.
In a prior ruling, Judge Tardón noted Martínez's 'central role' in the supposed criminal organization, suggesting that he was crucial in designing and operating legal protections that allowed the group's members, especially Huertas, to act with continuity and anonymity.
The court documents emphasize Martínez's professional background, which combines legal expertise and prior political experience, inferring he would have provided legal cover for the illicit organization.
Further investigations revealed that Martínez allegedly accessed the stolen databases to fulfill personal information needs, demonstrating a trust-based relationship with the group and an understanding of their illegal activities.
Reports indicate that the hacking group led by Alcasec also breached databases in the Dominican Republic and Andorra to track the movements of Spanish citizens traveling to those countries.
This information combined with previously stolen data from various Spanish agencies may have been intended for high-level financial intelligence operations.
In a separate matter, the investigation committee examining the electrical blackout that occurred on April 28 in the Iberian Peninsula has emphasized the critical question of why system defense mechanisms failed.
According to EU experts, preliminary findings indicate power generation interruptions were recorded shortly before the blackout, leading to significant tension in the electricity systems of Spain and Portugal.
The plans to safeguard the electric system were activated but ultimately could not prevent the total failure.
The blackout was triggered by a cascade of generation losses that led to a decrease in frequency across the Iberian electrical system, thus causing Spain and Portugal to lose synchrony with the broader European grid.
The report details how lines between France and Spain were disconnected as a protective measure, resulting in the systemic collapse.
Post-incident, Spain and Portugal have jointly urged the French government to establish concrete timelines and binding commitments for enhancing electrical interconnections, acknowledging that while some progress has been made, the Iberian Peninsula continues to be viewed as an 'energy island' with interconnection levels below EU targets.
Additionally, the Attorney General has requested the Supreme Court to dismiss a case concerning an alleged information leak related to a tax proposal involving Alberto González Amador, partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Madrid regional government, amid allegations of tax fraud.
The Attorney General's counsel stated that the investigation lacked direct incriminating evidence against him and cited the existence of exculpatory evidence.
The defense argues that the circumstances surrounding the accusations represent a political strategy to mischaracterize the situation.
It was noted that information regarding González Amador's dealings was already circulating among journalists prior to the Attorney General's knowledge of it.
Furthermore, they assert that any further dissemination of information originating from this case stemmed from those close to González Amador, rather than from the Fiscalía itself, raising questions about the credibility of the claims made against the Attorney General.
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