The trial of Spain’s former Chief of Police has revealed a web of scandal and corruption that has shocked the nation.
Seventy-year-old Jose Manuel Villarejo, who was arrested four years ago, faces a maximum sentence of 109 years in prison if he is found guilty.
Mr Villarejo (pictured) stands accused of making secret recordings of business people, some of which were leaked online.
Police raids on his home reportedly recovered more than 40 terabytes of recordings and other information.
It is alleged that he tried to use the recordings to blackmail a number of people or that he threatened to use them on behalf of other clients to destroy reputations.
Mr Villarejo’s wife is one of 27 other defendants in the case, along with police officials and the heads of some big companies.
While still employed as National Police Chief, Mr Villarejo had set up Cenyt, a consulting company.
Accusations against him claim that he abused his position to access sensitive police data for which he allegedly received millions of euros from clients.
After spending three years in custody, he was released by a court last March, at which point Mr Villarejo declared he would cooperate with the authorities and unmask everybody that was involved.
Expected to last until January next year, his trial in Madrid follows three separate investigations.
Members of Spain’s royal family could become implicated in this case, as well as some of the country’s biggest tycoons and politicians accused of using the services Mr Villarejo offered.
Madrid, 19 October 2021
