The State Attorney General has denied any wrongdoing in his first public appearance since it was announced that the Supreme Court will investigate him for revealing secrets. Álvaro García Ortiz stated in an interview on TVE that he did not leak any emails and that it is up to the Supreme Court to determine the outcome of the investigation. The investigation focuses on an alleged leak of an email sent to the Prosecutor’s Office by the lawyer of Alberto González Amador, the partner of the president of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who is under investigation for tax fraud. García Ortiz emphasized that many people had access to these emails, not just himself. The Supreme Court has excluded the press release issued by the Prosecutor’s Office from the investigation and instead is focusing on the leaked email that contained false information.
Despite calls for his resignation from conservative prosecutor associations and much of the opposition, García Ortiz has refused to step down, citing the seriousness of the situation but asserting his decision to remain in his position. He has called for a meeting with the Council of Prosecutors and the Prosecutor’s Council to address the situation, expressing that as the State Attorney General, he does not need to submit to the opinions of the Prosecutor’s Council. García Ortiz also mentioned that he may come out of the judicial process unscathed and that resigning is not a decision to be taken lightly at this stage of the investigation. He emphasized that he is well advised by a competent team of prosecutors and other professionals who support his decisions as the head of the Prosecutor’s General Office.
During the interview, García Ortiz defended his decision to remain in office, stating that it is essential to have a strong institution that can withstand attacks and criticism. He expressed his disappointment at what he described as “persecutions” without explicitly naming the perpetrators. García Ortiz stressed the importance of neutrality for the State Attorney General and the need to handle sensitive information responsibly. He denied that his case is an example of lawfare or the politicization of the judiciary, emphasizing his respect for the decisions of the Supreme Court and the autonomy of the Prosecutor’s Office in relation to other judicial bodies. He also highlighted the responsibility of the State Attorney General to remain neutral and not engage in political disputes.
García Ortiz acknowledged the challenges of his position and the scrutiny that comes with it, noting that the Prosecutor’s Office must maintain a neutral stance despite external pressures. He emphasized the need for the Prosecutor’s Office to present its own perspectives and arguments within the legal framework, even if they may not be popular. Despite the ongoing investigation and the pressure to resign, García Ortiz remains confident in his ability to fulfill his duties as the State Attorney General. He stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting the decisions of the judiciary, while also defending the independence and integrity of the Prosecutor’s Office.
