Overview
- The Audiencia Provincial de Madrid upheld the dismissal of a complaint over the messages and declined to reopen the case.
- Judges found the conduct lacked the severity needed for criminal revelation of secrets, framing any breach as a potential disciplinary matter.
- The ruling reiterates that a complaint does not automatically launch a criminal case because courts first perform an initial legal assessment.
- Messages published by the press showed the then–Audiencia Nacional president telling the transport minister in August 2020 that Trapero’s acquittal would be notified in late September, asking that it not be made public.
- Coverage also details that the minister forwarded the alert to the prime minister, and a later September message said the press sensed the ruling, with Trapero’s acquittal formally notified on October 20, 2020.