Spain's Health Minister resigns amid financial scandalNovember 27, 2014 - 15:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Spain's Health Minister Ana Mato has resigned after a judge accused her of benefiting from illegal payments. Her ex-husband, Jesus Sepulveda, was found to be linked to a huge corruption case involving the ruling People's Party, BBC News reports. A court issued a formal ruling which signaled that Mato had no knowledge of any possible crime. The scheme caused a scandal for PM Mariano Rajoy, who apologized after party members were arrested by police. Mato has not been named as an official suspect in the case, but will have to sit in during court hearings, judicial sources have told Spanish press. In a statement, Mato said she had not herself been linked with any crime but that she was standing down for the good of the government. Judges have been investigating the so-called Gurtel network, a huge scheme involving illegal party donations or kickbacks from businesses seeking contracts. It is the largest pre-trial investigation in the history of Spain's criminal court, and involves many Popular Party officials and public figures. Photo: AFP 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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |