The Mayor of Alcalá de Henares, Judith Piquet, will stand trial for an alleged crime of breach of trust in the custody of documents. The leak of a police report has generated intense political controversy.
The Mayor of Alcalá de Henares, Judith Piquet, from the Popular Party, has been summoned to oral trial following the opening of legal proceedings for an alleged crime of breach of trust in the custody of documents and revelation of secrets. This case arises from the improper use of a police report that linked migration to criminal acts. The judge in charge of the case has confirmed that both Piquet and her chief of staff, Raúl Castillo, will be investigated in this case, which began after a complaint was filed by the PSOE in August 2024.
The scandal centres on an official document that was used to support controversial claims about the relationship between migrants and criminality. The report was published by Alfonso Serrano, the number two of the Madrid PP and a senator with immunity. This report included a complaint about a sexual assault allegedly committed by a young migrant. This information was used to reinforce statements made by the regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who had linked migrants to sexual crimes weeks after the opening of the Migrant Care, Emergency and Referral Centre (CAED) in December 2023.
The political context is tense; during a meeting of the regional Government Council held in Alcalá on January 17, 2024, Ayuso made alarming statements about "scabies outbreaks and violent fights" among the migrants housed in the CAED. She later justified her statements by saying she had received information directly from the mayor's office. However, the accusations have led to questions not only about the veracity but also about the methods used to obtain such information.
The local socialist spokesperson, Javier Rodríguez, has publicly demanded Piquet's immediate resignation before the trial: "She should resign today as mayor before finding herself in the dock defending the indefensible." This statement reflects the hostile climate towards Piquet within the local political sphere and puts pressure on her administration.
The City Council has attempted to appeal several judicial decisions related to this case before the Provincial Court without success so far. Despite the media uproar and political criticism received, the council has not yet received official notification regarding the formal start of the oral trial.
Such cases are not new in Spain; a few years ago, a similar situation occurred when several officials were investigated for leaking official documents related to judicial investigations. However, what distinguishes this case is its direct connection to sensitive issues such as immigration and public safety.
Media attention is focused not only on the legal implications for Piquet and Castillo but also on how this scandal could affect the Popular Party at the regional level just before crucial elections. Political management in the face of such delicate issues as immigration always generates mixed reactions among voters.
As this judicial process unfolds, it will be crucial to observe how both citizens and other political actors react to these serious accusations against their mayor. The coming days will be decisive in determining whether there will be significant changes within the municipal leadership team or whether Piquet will manage to remain at the helm despite legal adversities.
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