Podemos states that "the big problem is that those who bribed Reyes are still free"

Podemos states that "the big problem is that those who bribed Reyes are still free"

Carlos Meca denounces that those who bribed the former mayor of Yaiza can continue "buying wills and giving licks" and assures that everyone should answer to justice

March 22 2017 (12:19 WET)
Podemos states that "the big problem is that those who bribed Reyes are still at large"
Podemos states that "the big problem is that those who bribed Reyes are still at large"

The general secretary of Podemos in Lanzarote, Carlos Meca, considers, in relation to the 6-year prison sentence that the former mayor of Yaiza has accepted, that although the Yate case and Reyes' confession have been decisive in dismantling old theories interested by political parties and the media, "the big problem is that those who bribed Reyes are still free." Meca has denounced that "they are known to all, and they are not going to change their modus operandi to continue buying wills and giving licks. We are seeing it with the Stratvs case, with a Government of the Canary Islands and an Island Council surrendered to the interests of the owner of the clandestine winery".

In addition, the Podemos representative has lamented that, in the Yate case trial for the massive concession of illegal hotel licenses in Playa Blanca between 1998 and 2007, the accused have refused to respond to the popular accusation "demonstrating that the supposed collaboration with the judicial system is very partial and interested".

From Podemos they have recalled that the former mayor of Yaiza has accepted a sentence of 6 years in prison in addition to the payment of a fine of more than 300,000 euros and the confiscation of the assets he acquired with the money from bribes to businessmen and promoters for granting illegal licenses in Playa Blanca. In a statement they have also indicated that Reyes has recently confessed in writing that he received more than 300,000 euros in cash from different promoters and builders "as a reward" for granting those illegal permits in Playa Blanca, but the Drug and Organized Crime Unit of the National Police Force (Udyco) had already detected expenses and movements amounting to 1.2 million euros of unknown origin.

 

"Everyone must answer to justice"


From Podemos they have considered that all those businessmen and politicians who supposedly participated in the commission of crimes investigated in the Yate case "must answer to justice". Meca has pointed out that the Yate case investigates crimes of urban planning prevarication, administrative prevarication, bribery, crimes against land management, embezzlement and money laundering, among others.

"Those who break the law by bribing corrupt politicians also have to assume their responsibility before the society of Lanzarote. In Lanzarote, money has been stolen from all taxpayers, both the bribed and those who have bribed, and on this island there is a shortage of investments in real needs such as schools in conditions, health centers, medical ambulances and greater benefits in the general hospital, among others", he pointed out.

Regarding the coverage of the case by some media, Podemos has lamented that "we have been enduring for years a very indigestible account of what happened with the illegal hotels in Playa Blanca and with the Marina Rubicón port by media owned by the same people who distributed the gifts".

 

"Illegal hotels with European subsidies"


In addition, he pointed out that "it is not acceptable that illegal hotels were built in the south with European subsidies and that the Marina Rubicón marina could be completed without the relevant permits". Meca recalled that Reyes himself confessed that he received a gift of 60,000 euros from the owners of Marina Rubicón.
Regarding the construction of Marina Rubicón, Carlos Meca has insisted that "the Yaiza town hall and the Lanzarote Island Council have an ethical debt contracted with the owners of the El Berrugo homes who were evicted". "They should make every possible effort to recover their homes and compensate them as much as possible for the damage and humiliation that was caused to them", he concluded. 

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