Spain's Unidad Central Operativa (UCO) has arrested five people, including former chief of staff of the government delegate in Andalusia, Rafael Pineda. The investigation concerns alleged irregularities in the sale of a municipal plot in the Higuerón Norte area of Seville. According to law enforcement, this transaction may have been part of a broader corruption mechanism, paid protection, and money laundering, causing political turmoil ahead of the upcoming Andalusian elections.

Charges for Pineda

Former advisor Rafael Pineda has been charged with paid protection, bribery, and corruption between private individuals.

Profit from the plot

Investigators are examining how land acquired from the municipal company at a price significantly below market value was sold with a profit of 2 million euros in 4 months.

Role of the Emvisesa company

The current administration of Seville considers the municipal company Emvisesa the main victim of the practice, which led to the depletion of public assets.

Mayor of Gines in the investigation

Romualdo Garrido, the Socialist mayor of Gines, has been summoned to give explanations, although he denies any connection to the case.

Officers of UCO conducted a spectacular operation codenamed "Morena," which led to the capture of the main suspects in the so-called Pineda case. The central focus of the investigation is a plot of 10,000 square meters, purchased from the municipal housing company Emvisesa by the wife of the main accused, Olga Pérez Jiménez. According to the prosecution's findings, the land was resold just a few months later for an amount almost twice as high, generating a profit of around two million euros. Investigating Court No. 10 in Seville, presided over by Judge Pilar Ordóñez, issued a decision to release the detainees from custody, but charged them with corruption and seized their assets as security for future penalties. Spain has been grappling for years with so-called "pelotazo" scandals, which in local jargon means quick and unethical profits from real estate transactions, often at the intersection of politics and business. The largest such scandals, like Operation Malaya in 2006, have permanently changed Spanish urban planning law and party financing regulations. The case has strong political implications due to the close ties of Rafael Pineda with leading politicians of the Socialist Party in the region. Pineda served as chief of staff to Pedro Fernández, the current government delegate in Andalusia, and was a close collaborator of the Vice President of the Congress of Deputies. The opposition and the current municipal authorities of Seville under José Luis Sanz harshly criticize the previous administration, accusing it of "locking up" municipal land resources for the private benefit of activists. As part of further proceedings, additional witnesses have been summoned for questioning, including the mayor of Gines, who denies all allegations, claiming to be a victim of systematic political harassment. „The company Emvisesa is the main victim in this practice, which appears to be a classic example of abuse of power for personal enrichment at the expense of the common good.” — José Luis Sanz Arrested in Seville: 4, Arrested in Malaga: 1, Released with charges: 5, Witnesses summoned: 2 2 million euros — This was the price markup on the land sale within 5 months Timeline of the Pineda scandal: — ; — ; — ; —

Mentioned People

  • Rafael Pineda — Former chief of staff of the government delegation in Andalusia, main suspect in the urban planning scandal.
  • Pilar Ordóñez — Judge leading the investigation at Investigating Court No. 10 in Seville.
  • Romualdo Garrido — Mayor of Gines, included in the investigation as a witness or suspect.
  • José Luis Sanz — Current mayor of Seville, criticizing the actions of the previous administration.
  • Pedro Fernández — Current government delegate of Spain in Andalusia.