Spanish PM Rajoy to take stand as witness in major graft trial July 26, 2017 - 13:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will on Wednesday, July 26, take the stand as a witness in a major graft trial involving former members of his conservative Popular Party, a first in the country, AFP reports. Protesters plan to gather in front of the courthouse on the outskirts of Madrid as Rajoy, who is in his second term in power at the helm of a minority government, arrives to take the stand at 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT). The court appearance will be embarrassing for Rajoy, who has sought to distance himself from a series of corruption scandals that have for years surrounded his party, in power since 2011. It will be the first time that an acting prime minister has appeared in court. Two former premiers -- Felipe Gonzalez, an ex-Socialist leader, and Adolfo Suarez, prime minister during the Spain's transition to democracy -- appeared in court in separate trials but they were no longer in office. Rajoy, 62, had asked to testify by video-conference but Spain's High Court ruled he must appear in person. The trial at a court in San Fernando de Henares, near Madrid, centres on a vast kickback scheme that allegedly saw companies shower former PP lawmakers and civil servants with bribes in exchange for contracts. Related links:   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh  The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi ArabiaPashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”.U.S. doesn’t see Russia as contributing to peace in Caucasus Patel made the remarks when asked about the implications of Russia’s withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh.Up to 1% cashback when shopping on Wildberries with IDBank cards IDBank is launching an exclusive campaign on Wildberries for online shopping enthusiasts. |
