The Prosecutor's Office opposes the National Court investigating Puente for the Adamuz accident
The Prosecutor's Office has opposed the National Court's investigation of Transport Minister Óscar Puente regarding a deadly train accident in Adamuz, stating that the court is not competent to handle the case.
The Prosecutor's Office of the National Court has officially opposed the acceptance of a complaint filed by the Association Liberty and Justice against Transport Minister Óscar Puente for a train accident in Adamuz, Córdoba, that resulted in 46 fatalities. This decision comes as the prosecutor argues that the National Court does not have jurisdiction over the case since Puente holds ministerial status, which affords him immunity and places any potential legal actions under the purview of the Supreme Court. The complaint had raised significant public interest, given the tragic number of casualties involved in the incident.
In its position, the Public Ministry highlighted that there is already an ongoing investigation being handled by a local court into the accident, suggesting that pursuing further legal actions at the national level could be redundant or unnecessary. The relevant court, presided over by Judge Antonio Piña, has requested input from the Prosecutor's Office before deciding how to proceed with the complaint. This scenario underscores the complexities often faced in legal proceedings involving high-ranking officials, where jurisdictional issues can complicate accountability.
As the investigation unfolds, the response from the Prosecutor's Office will be closely monitored, particularly by the victims' families seeking justice and accountability. The case reflects broader themes of political responsibility and the legal protections granted to government officials, and it raises critical questions about the adequacy of mechanisms in place to address accidents involving public infrastructure, especially in terms of transparency and thoroughness of investigations into potential negligence or oversight.