The mayor of Estepona, Antonio Barrientos, left court yesterday the same way he arrived, in handcuffs.
The mayor of Estepona, Antonio Barrientos, made his first court appearance yesterday as the remainder of the 26 people detained under Operation Astapa were questioned by the judge. After seven and a half hours, Barrientos left court exactly the same way he had arrived, in handcuffs, as the judge ordered him to be detained in custody without the possibility of bail.
The mayor is charged with corruption, influence peddling, misappropriation of public funds and bribery in relation to urban planning irregularities.
Two others were also condemned to custody in prison without the possibility of bail. These were José Flores, head of the mayor’s cabinet, and former Finance Councillor, Manuel Reina.
The remainder were granted bail, the amount varying according to the seriousness of the charges brought against them.