Spanish Court Refers Case Against Eurodeputy for Data Leaks to Supreme Court
Alvise Pérez is under investigation for leaking private communications of former government official Francisco Martínez.
Judge Carmen Rodríguez-Medel has transferred the case against Alvise Pérez to the Supreme Court as he currently serves as a Member of the European Parliament (Eurodeputy).
The proceedings concern allegations that Pérez leaked personal data and private conversations belonging to Francisco Martínez, a former Secretary of State for the Interior.
Since Pérez holds a parliamentary position, only the Supreme Court has authority to investigate him.
In a resolution dated May 12, which was recently disclosed, Rodríguez-Medel indicated that the leaked information might have been disseminated with ulterior motives, including financial gain.
Evidence presented suggests that Pérez solicited monetary contributions from his Telegram followers while portraying himself as a critic of corruption and promoting an anti-establishment ideology during his recent electoral campaign.
The leaked chats, shared on July 10, 2023, occurred when Martínez was under investigation in relation to the so-called "Kitchen Case," which involved alleged espionage conducted by the Ministry of the Interior against former Popular Party treasurer Luis Bárcenas.
These conversations contained sensitive personal and professional information and were temporarily available to the parties involved in the investigation until a judicial order restricted access upon request from Martínez.
As outlined by the judge, the public dissemination of these conversations violated the confidentiality of the judicial process as well as the established orders to restrict access to specific communications.
The contents included personal messages exchanged with journalists and private family details of Martínez, creating concerns regarding violations of privacy and potential harm to minors.
The investigation confirmed that Pérez owned the Telegram account in question, where he encouraged financial donations intended for his campaigns against corruption.
The judge noted that discussions regarding state secrets occurred on Pérez's Telegram channel, heightening the gravity of the situation.
Given Pérez’s status as a Eurodeputy, the Supreme Court's Second Chamber will oversee the continuation of the investigation.
Rodríguez-Medel indicated that the indiscriminate release of the 23 chats could constitute a crime of disclosing secrets, which carries a prison sentence of two to five years.
If the acts were committed for financial gain, the potential sentences could increase to between three and five years.
The proceedings concern allegations that Pérez leaked personal data and private conversations belonging to Francisco Martínez, a former Secretary of State for the Interior.
Since Pérez holds a parliamentary position, only the Supreme Court has authority to investigate him.
In a resolution dated May 12, which was recently disclosed, Rodríguez-Medel indicated that the leaked information might have been disseminated with ulterior motives, including financial gain.
Evidence presented suggests that Pérez solicited monetary contributions from his Telegram followers while portraying himself as a critic of corruption and promoting an anti-establishment ideology during his recent electoral campaign.
The leaked chats, shared on July 10, 2023, occurred when Martínez was under investigation in relation to the so-called "Kitchen Case," which involved alleged espionage conducted by the Ministry of the Interior against former Popular Party treasurer Luis Bárcenas.
These conversations contained sensitive personal and professional information and were temporarily available to the parties involved in the investigation until a judicial order restricted access upon request from Martínez.
As outlined by the judge, the public dissemination of these conversations violated the confidentiality of the judicial process as well as the established orders to restrict access to specific communications.
The contents included personal messages exchanged with journalists and private family details of Martínez, creating concerns regarding violations of privacy and potential harm to minors.
The investigation confirmed that Pérez owned the Telegram account in question, where he encouraged financial donations intended for his campaigns against corruption.
The judge noted that discussions regarding state secrets occurred on Pérez's Telegram channel, heightening the gravity of the situation.
Given Pérez’s status as a Eurodeputy, the Supreme Court's Second Chamber will oversee the continuation of the investigation.
Rodríguez-Medel indicated that the indiscriminate release of the 23 chats could constitute a crime of disclosing secrets, which carries a prison sentence of two to five years.
If the acts were committed for financial gain, the potential sentences could increase to between three and five years.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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