For the first time in the De Miguel case, corruption has become apparent after one of the defendants testified before the judge that they requested and received commissions. The Sidepur administrator, Josu Arruti, said that he and Alfredo de Miguel received EUR 161,000 each from the Catalan construction company in the operation to create an industrial estate in Zambrana.

The project, which had a budget of 65 million euros, was mediated by Alfredo de Miguel, who took into account the ability to “influence and overcome obstacles” of the former Algerian deputy of the PNV. Both were known since they were members of the EGI youth organization of the PNV, as explained by El Diario.es.

“What do you think if you ask for a commission for yourself and me?” said De Miguel to Arruti, according to the latter. The leader of the PNV Alavés allegedly paid with this money a luxury car, jewelry and travels through the Alavesa town of Llodio. In any case, the Prosecutor’s Office considers that, in addition to the €161,000, Riera made illegal payments to the companies of the De Miguel network, but Arruti denies them.

Arruti explained that he acknowledged having received the commission because he had reached an agreement with the prosecutor to reduce years of imprisonment.

Araba Buru Batzar as mediator

The Mayor of Zambrana, Justina Angulo (PNV), also spoke at Monday's sitting, who only answered questions from his lawyer.

As he explained, he went to the Araba Buru Batzar of the PNV in search of intermediaries to carry out the urban operation. From the Head of Álava of the Nationalist Party they told him what was the right person to help create the polygon: Alfredo de Miguel.