typicallyspanish.com

Spain News : Andalucía : Costa del Sol
+ Larger Font | + Smaller Font
The Partido Popular Mayor of Alhaurín el Grande has been arrested
By m.p./h.b. - Jan 19, 2007 - 8:15 AM

Mayor of Alhau�n el Grande, Juan Mart�n Ser�n - Archive Photo EFE
enlarge photo

The planning councillor has also been taken into custody. Reports indicate it could be related to possible planning crimes
Reports came in yesterday evening that the Partido Popular Mayor of Alhaurín el Grande, Juan Martín Serón, had been taken into custody and escorted to the courts in Coín at 8pm to appear before the duty judge.

Arrested with him was Alhaurín‘s planning councillor, Gregorio Guerra Gil. Reports indicated that it could be related to a possible real estate crime.

Officers from both the national and local police sealed off the Town Hall building and began a search of council offices. It centred on the technical office of the planning department, where documents were being removed.

There are indications that the arrests came in an ongoing investigation by the Organised Crime Squad, and that there is no current connection to the Malaya corruption case in Marbella. Sources quoted in the press said that further arrests and searches have not been ruled out.

The Mayor accompanied police during their search of the Town Hall, and about 100 local residents cheered him on his exit, with phrases such as ‘we are with you’. Juan Martín Serón shouted that they were not after him, but after the Partido Popular.

The two men were taken to the main Málaga police station in the early hours of this morning, and the EFE news agency says he will appear before the judge at 10 this morning.

Juan Martín Serón was arrested in Marbella following a Partido Popular working lunch there earlier in the day, which was also attended by the PP President, Mariano Rajoy. Martín’s colleagues said he was in Marbella until after 6 on Thursday evening.

Police outside Alhaur�n el Grande Town Hall last night - Photo EFE
enlarge photo

The 20 minutes website reports that he and Guerra were under investigation by the public prosecutor, following allegations from the PSOE Party last July of planning irregularities and that illegal planning permission was granted in exchange for funds for the municipal purse.

Martín Serón said at the time that the case in question was archived by a Coín court three years previously.

The Provincial Partido Popular has said it is surprised by the detentions and do not know what the charges are.

Latest reports indicate the charges are perversion of the course of justice and bribery.

NOTE: THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED HERE