Former Minister José Luis Ábalos and his advisor Koldo García attended a preliminary hearing concerning the alleged conspiracy surrounding the procurement of masks during the pandemic. The Supreme Court is expected to hold a trial in the coming months, and both men, who were transported from prison, appeared composed but silent as they listened to their defenses present arguments to annul the ongoing proceedings.

The crux of the defense strategy is to either halt the trial altogether or transfer the case to the Audiencia Nacional, which could intrude the judicial process and possibly lead to their release from prison. Ábalos and García claim that there has been an "opaque" agreement between certain prosecutors and other officials; however, these allegations have been denied by the parties involved, indicating a potential conflict over transparency in the ongoing judicial process regarding corruption.

This case highlights the persistent issues of corruption and accountability within the Spanish political system, especially in the context of pandemic-related procurements. The implications could be significant not only for the defendants but also for the public's perception of governance and trust in judicial integrity in Spain, particularly in light of prior scandals that have plagued various administrations.