Judge and prosecutor seek to keep Balas on Koldo case after promotion

The judge investigating the Koldo case and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office have jointly requested that Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Balas remain at the helm of the investigation despite his imminent promotion to colonel. The request, made by Judge Ismael Moreno at the behest of prosecutor Luis Pastor, has been communicated to the head of the Civil Guard's UCO, Colonel Pedro Merino Castro. Source: ABC; La Vanguardia

Legal justification

The move is based on Article 16 of Royal Decree 769/1987, which states that judicial police officers assigned to an investigation cannot be removed without judicial or prosecutorial authorization. Source: El Mundo The prosecutor argued that Balas "has played a relevant role in the course of the investigation" and should remain until its conclusion. Source: Infobae

Balas's role

Balas heads the UCO's Department of Economic and Anti-Corruption Investigation (DIECAN), handling cases affecting the PSOE and the family circle of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. His work has been crucial in securing the conviction of former minister José Luis Ábalos and in ongoing probes into the so-called "PSOE sewers" and the alleged plot led by former activist Leire Díez. Source: El Confidencial; El Español

Context: Government tensions

The request comes amid reports that the government had sought to force Balas's transfer by approving his promotion, which would have required him to take a new post. El Confidencial notes that Moncloa aimed to replace him with a more amenable officer. Leire Díez was allegedly heard saying "If Balas is dead, better" in a meeting aimed at discrediting him. Source: El Confidencial; El Mundo The judge's decision effectively blocks that move, at least within the Koldo case. It is expected that Balas will also continue overseeing other sensitive investigations. Source: El Mundo