⚖️🕵️ Almería provincial council corruption scandal unfolds with high-profile arrests

Oneliner

The president of the Almería Provincial Council, Javier Aureliano García, and six other officials were arrested on November 18, 2025, in a corruption investigation linked to public contracts. The case, known as the 'mascarillas' scandal, involves allegations of illegal commissions related to a contract for medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation has expanded to include multiple contracts and has significant political ramifications for the Partido Popular in Andalusia. The community of Fines, where many activities took place, is grappling with the fallout from the arrests.

Key points

• Seven officials, including the president of the Almería Provincial Council, arrested over alleged corruption.
• Investigations reveal a scheme involving illegal commissions linked to public contracts.
• The case, known as the 'mascarillas' scandal, has expanded to include multiple contracts beyond medical supplies.
• The arrests have triggered significant political fallout within the Partido Popular in Andalusia.

Links

• Público: Así se amañó el caso que originó el escándalo de corrupción de Almería
• Público: La Justicia destapa una trama de comisiones ilegales a cambio de contratos que implica de lleno al presidente de la Diputación de Almería
• El País: Fines, el epicentro de la trama familiar y empresarial que sacude al PP de Almería
• Europa Press: Montero critica la respuesta de Moreno al 'caso Mascarillas': "Lleva cinco años investigándose y no sabe nada"
• Europa Press: Diana Morant alega que el PSOE aún no se ha querellado contra Leire Díez porque no se ha visto perjudicado
• Europa Press: Tellado sostiene que el caso Almería y el de Koldo "no tienen nada que ver" y asegura que el PP actuó "el mismo día"

Facts

• Javier Aureliano García, president of the Provincial Council, was arrested on November 18, 2025.
• The initial contract under investigation was awarded for 2.04 million euros for medical supplies.
• Kickbacks from the contract are estimated to be up to 400,000 euros.
• The investigation has been ongoing for nearly five years, expanding to include multiple public contracts.
• The arrests have led to the suspension of García from the Partido Popular.

Quotes

• The case has raised serious questions about governance and accountability in the region — Judicial sources
• The outbreak of the case has fallen like a cold shower on the Andalusian PP — Sources in the Andalusian PP

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