đź”— Share this article Spain's Chief Prosecutor Convicted in Controversial Leak Case EPA The nation's Attorney General, the country's chief legal officer, has been forced to resign after being convicted of disclosing confidential information in a highly contentious case that has accentuated political divisions within the country. Judicial Decision and Penalties The Supreme Court determined that GarcĂa Ortiz had unlawfully revealed details about the tax situation of entrepreneur a prominent business figure, who is the partner of a leading opposition figure. The judicial body imposed a two-year ban from his post and a fine of seven thousand two hundred euros. Furthermore, he must pay €10,000 to Mr González Amador as compensation. Political Consequences The trial of the attorney general fueled the previously strained relations between the progressive administration of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the conservative political forces. Divergent viewpoints were highlighted by responses to the conviction. "Sánchez must offer an apology to Spaniards, step down and call elections, in that sequence," said Ester Muñoz for the main opposition party. The administration stated it disagreed with the ruling but acknowledged it and would move forward with the selection of a replacement prosecutor. Judicial Dispute Nevertheless, numerous politicians on the left expressed anger at what they perceived as a decision influenced by politics. A cabinet member, of the Sumar party, stated the conviction dealt a "lethal blow to presumption of innocence" and compromised citizens' rights when it came to the rule of law. Case Background The complicated legal matter dates back to March 2024, when the prosecutor's department issued a press release indicating that Mr González Amador had sought a negotiated settlement after being discovered avoiding tax payments worth over 350,000 euros. The statement corrected mistaken press reports stating that the attorney general's office had initiated the settlement. The origin of the false information was the head of communications of the conservative regional president of Madrid. Court Case Details Mr González Amador lodged a legal action against the chief prosecutor, claiming his confidentiality was violated. The case against the attorney general also included allegations of leaking information about the affair to the media. Legal authorities highlighted the prosecutor's decision to replace his mobile device as incriminating. However, there was no direct evidence connecting GarcĂa Ortiz to the disclosure and multiple reporters stated under oath during the proceedings that he had not provided information of their reporting. Regarding the official communication, the attorney general stated he was simply correcting the erroneous reports. The attorney general can challenge the ruling. Broader Political Context This comes as a significant setback for the prime minister, who has been under judicial pressure on various fronts. His brother is due to go on trial for alleged corruption His wife is under investigation for her business activities Two former senior figures in the Socialist Party are accused of overseeing a large-scale corruption operation