The court in charge of trying José Manuel Villarejo has decreed his release in the three proceedings that are already completed and awaiting trial.

The decision does not mean the release of the former commissioner, since his provisional imprisonment is still decreed in the numerous pieces derived from the

Tandem case

that are still in the investigation phase.

The Fourth Criminal Section of the National Court makes the decision taking into account that it does not imply their effective freedom, but also remembering "the time that they have been deprived of liberty."

Villarejo has been in prison on a provisional basis since November 5, 2017. If this year the maximum of four years in prison without a conviction is served, he must be released.

To remain in prison, it would be necessary for the Court to impose a sentence of more than eight years before reaching that limit.

Villarejo's lawyer, Antonio

José García Cabrera

, has repeatedly called for the former commissioner to be released.

The decision is in the hands of Judge

Manuel García Castellón

, who instructs the thirty pieces in which the case has been fragmented, as well as the Section that reviews his decisions.

One of the arguments put forward by the defense is the poor health of Villarejo, who had to be hospitalized a few days ago.

In another resolution issued this Wednesday, the Fourth Section agrees to group together pieces 2, 3 and 6 of the case, called

Iron

,

Land

and

Painter,

in a single trial

.

Instead of three trials, a joint trial will be held to expedite its performance.

Regarding this accumulation requested by several of those investigated, the Chamber admits it since there are coincidences of several defendants in the three pieces, coincidence of the same crime in the three procedures (disclosure and discovery of secrets) and coincidences of active and passive bribery in two of the pieces.

Also because there is no incompatibility with the rest of the crimes for which the accusation is exercised: documentary falsification and influence peddling and extortion in a degree of conspiracy.

Therefore, the Court concludes that "even though the facts subject to prosecution are different and affect different people, some defendants and criminal offenses coincide and other crimes are related to them, which together with the relationship of legal connection between them and in relation to the main piece from which it arises (...) and the need to expedite the holding of oral proceedings allow us to reach the conclusion of accepting the decision of the joint trial of the three pieces ".

In the same order, the magistrates reject the inhibition of the case raised by some investigated and maintains the jurisdiction of the National Court.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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See links of interest

  • Work calendar

  • Real Madrid - Getafe, live