• Newspaper library All the information about the 'Ardines case'

  • Courts The summary of the 'Ardines case': this is how the Civil Guard resolved the murder of the Llanes councilor

"I am innocent. I do not know Javier Ardines nor have I ever been in Llanes, but the Civil Guard deceived me, they messed me up and they fucked me alive." That has been the explanation that Djilali Benatia, one of those accused of murdering the IU councilor, gave today in the first session of the trial at the Provincial Court of Oviedo to justify that, in February 2019, he confessed to the crime. He was the first to testify today and only answered questions from his defense to ensure that then, after three days in jail, without being able to speak to anyone, not even a lawyer, with pressure and even "cakes" he said "I declared what that they wanted. They told me "help us and we will help you." I could not bear the pressure. They only wanted to close the case. Later, when I found out that the Prosecutor's Office was asking for 25 years in prison, I realized everything.I regret it because I said things that were not true. "

If he recognized that, except for Pedro Nieva, the considered crime inducer and with whom his wife, the Llanisco councilor, had a sentimental relationship, he knew the other two defendants, Maamar Kelli, an Algerian compatriot and Jesús Muguruza. He, who only answered questions from his lawyer, also denied having ever been to Asturias and insisted that if he left for Algeria after the crime it was to see his sick mother and not with the intention of fleeing.

According to the prosecutor and the prosecution, Francisco Javier Ardines had a relationship with Katia Blanco, his wife's cousin since she was a teenager. Her husband, Pedro Nieva found out and out of revenge asked his friend, Jesús Muguruza for help in finding someone who would kill Ardines. Thus they located two hitmen, Djilali Benatia and Maamar Kelli, Algerians to assassinate him for about 25,000 euros.

Today in the trial the defendants' defenses have insisted before the jury that there is no evidence or witness against them. In the deceased, specifically under his fingernails, only DNA from another woman with whom they maintain Ardines had also had a romantic relationship for at least two years was found and they again emphasized what was the first hypothesis that the crime handled after the crime. Civil Guard, the conflicts that the councilor had, both for his extramarital relations and for his political activity with other members of the corporation and neighbors.

For this reason they have expressly asked the jury to abstract from everything said and published so far in the media, in what has been one of the most media-focused murders in recent years.

"Without evidence," they have said, "no one can be convicted and in this case there is only one story that they will have to prove because things are not always what they seem," said Fernando de Barutell, the Algerian lawyer for Maamar Kelli.

Even some defense such as that of the Algerian Djilali Benatia, Adrián Fernández questioned that the rights of his client were respected when after his arrest he was held incommunicado and interrogated by the UCO without the presence of his lawyer and that he assures, he confessed under duress.

One of the most anticipated statements will be that of the inducer of the crime, Pedro Nieva, scheduled for tomorrow.

Today he has been seen in the first session calm, looking at times at the Ardines family who came to the hearing sitting in the front row.

All four are charged with treachery and priceless murder and face 25 years in prison each.

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  • Civil Guard

  • Algeria

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  • UI

  • Javier Ardines

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Innocent

The other Dolores Vázquez (2) The lawyer mistaken for a robber who was saved by the notary Rajoy

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