OKDiario reports today that the Negreira Case is nearing its end. The case will supposedly be dismissed due to a procedural error.
In its report, it mentions that the head of the Barcelona Investigative Court number 13, Alejandra Gil, who is investigating the Negreira case, "has decided to suspend the testimonies of his wife Ana María Rufas, his son Javier Enríquez Romero, and the FC Barcelona executives Sandro Rosell, Josep Maria Bartomeu, Albert Soler, and Óscar Grau."
The interviews were scheduled for June but have been postponed without setting any alternative date.
🚨LA JUEZA PARALIZA EL CASO BARÇA NEGREIRA
The main suspect, José María Enríquez Negreira, was summoned to testify before the judge in 2024 but refused, citing a degenerative disease.
The Judge Who Started the Case Retired in January
The judge handling the case, Joaquín Aguirre, retired in January without setting a date for the interrogations, according to OKDiario.
Judge Alejandra Gil has taken over and has suspended the testimonies scheduled by Joaquín Aguirre. After two years of investigations into the case, the judge extends the investigation by six more months with new proceedings.
The same source states that "the extension order was notified past the deadline to the lawyers, something that could have led to the suspension of the testimonies scheduled for next June.
The extension had to be made before March 1, 2025, the judge issued a resolution dated February 26, but it was not delivered to the defendants' defenses until March 13."
For these reasons, lawyers like the former Barça executive Albert Soler's have requested the annulment of the extension, a request to which FC Barcelona has also adhered. The annulment would be the preliminary step to dismissing the procedure.
The judge is now focusing on tracing the money paid by FC Barcelona (7 million euros between 2001 and 2018) to find out if there could have been an illegitimate payment to soccer referees.
It is the possible systemic corruption that the judge who originally handled the case spoke about. OK Diario adds that "the Civil Guard has not been able to conclude that it is proven that these payments were intended for 'alleged advisory services in arbitration matters.'
Miguel Galán Talks About "Total Overturn"
Miguel Galán, president of the National Center for Soccer Coaches Training and expert in the Negreira case, talks about "Total Overturn" and announces that "the case should be dismissed due to a procedural defect."
He adds in a message posted on social media:
-"The SUSPENSION of these testimonies IS NOT COINCIDENTAL and is due to the EXPIRATION of the PROCEEDINGS.
-The extension of the investigation was issued on February 26 and communicated to the parties on March 13, but it expired on March 1. This fact could lead to the DISMISSAL OF THE CASE.
-Since the extension expired on March 1, the extension of the deadline to carry out the investigation is NO LONGER VALID.
-Therefore, the communication made on March 13 is invalid from a procedural point of view, as it was made after the deadline had expired.
-Since the EXTENSION HAS EXPIRED without the investigation being completed within the legally allowed time, the case would be considered closed.
-Thus, the judge should issue a DISMISSAL order or DISMISS THE CASE since the investigation can't continue without the legal support of a valid extension.
-Furthermore, the lack of communication or late notification can be understood as a violation of the right to due process and defense.
-The parties have the right to be informed about the status of the investigation and any relevant decision that impacts their legal situation.
-It should be noted that the extension order was notified to the lawyers once the deadline had passed, which could have led to the suspension of the testimonies scheduled for June.
-The extension should have been made before March 1, 2025, however, the judge solved the matter on February 26, but this resolution was not delivered to the defendants' defenses until March 13.
-According to Article 324 of the Criminal Procedure Law (LECrim), if the extension of the investigation expires and is not properly communicated, the investigation period is considered closed. This obliges the judge to dismiss the case or, if applicable, issue a dismissal order.
-The Second Chamber of the Supreme Court has already had the opportunity to rule on that provision and circumstances at length.
-Therefore, the new judge, in view of the proceedings carried out in the investigation, must issue either a dismissal order or a transformation of the procedure, under penalty of formal and material defenselessness to the parties.
In summary, in layman's terms, they have extended it so much that due to ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR AND OUT OF DEADLINES, the judge should issue a DISMISSAL order or DISMISS THE CASE since the investigation can't continue without the LEGAL SUPPORT of a VALID EXTENSION."