Probe opened into judge hearing Palma Arena case

The General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) has opened a probe into the judge hearing the Palma Arena corruption case, which includes King Juan Carlos' son-in-law Iñaki Urdangarin, who is implicated for suspected fraud involving public funds.

The CGPJ initiated the investigation into Judge José Castro Aragón following an allegation by the lawyer of Jaume Matas - the former premier of the Balearic Islands and the main defendant in the Palma Arena case - that details of the case that were still sub judice had been leaked by the Palma de Mallorca court over which Castro presides.

Matas's defense team has accused Castro of harboring ill-will against the former Balearic political leader.

No proof

Castro denied the accusation, but acknowledged it was hard to maintain the judicial secrecy required in the case because of the large number of people involved in it. He said there was no proof of information being leaked, but if this were the case, the number of people responsible for it could be "infinite." However, he ruled out anyone from his office being the source of any leaks.

Referring to the Urdangarin case, which also involves misappropriation of funds, Castro said: "At no moment was there any leak." He said none of the rulings taken in the case were made public until November 3, when he ordered a raid on the offices of Urdangarin's non-profit organization Instituto Nóos.