Prosecutors decide not to appeal Camps' acquittal

Francisco Camps will not be retried on bribery charges. Anti-corruption prosecutors said Friday they have decided not to appeal the jury's acquittal of both the former Valencia regional premier and Ricardo Costa, the former Popular Party (PP) secretary general in Valencia, in the so-called "suit-gate" case.

Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón of the PP said the decision was made entirely by the new attorney general, Eduardo Torres Dulce. The only chance for Camps and Costa to be retried is if the Socialist Party, which brought the people's charges against them, appeals the verdict.

In a five-to-four decision, Camps and Costa were acquitted last month of bribery charges stemming from allegations that they received dress suits and other luxury items from a group of corrupt businessmen who formed the so-called Gürtel network following testimony in the nearly two-month trial.

On Friday, Valencia regional premier Alberto Fabra, who took over from Camps after his resignation in July, said he was "very happy" that Camps and Costa would not be retried. The Camps investigation and the subsequent trial had been a political embarrassment for the PP. Camps resigned before last year's election campaign began.