Malaya corruption case concludes

Alleged mastermind Juan Antonio Roca

The Malaya corruption case – the longest case ever seen in Spain – has concluded.

The case lasted 22 months, across 199 sessions, involved 86 politicians, a mountain of evidence from both sides, evidence from business people and Marbella citizens and could result in a 30 year prison sentence for the alleged mastermind of the corruption, Juan Antonion Roca.

We now have to wait up to eight months for the verdicts to be delivered – eight months? Haven’t they had long enough to make up their minds already? I wonder how much it has cost too!

As part of his final defence Roca appealed to the jury to reflect upon why a child murderer from Huelva received a 22 year sentence yet he could face a sentence eight years longer for “financial crimes”.

He also suggested that it was not possible for him to receive a fair trial as his name had been dragged through the mud constantly since the case began. He expressed deep regret for “the damage that has been done to Marbella and its citizens.”

During the final session a number of the defendants stated criticised the judge for his handling of the case, while others wept and pleaded for a fair sentence.

The case surrounds allegations that the town hall received “back-handers” to the tune of €33 million in exchange for granting property licences on non-urban land. Sessions began back in September 2010, when the tribunal president promised “absolute independence and impartiality”.

The case began with 95 suspects but nine people have since been cleared of all charges.