Ex-Barcelona MP accused of aiding Russian mafia gangs

July 18, 2007 on 7:56 am | In Uncategorized |

Former Barcelona MP, Eduardo Planells, was arrested yesterday by National Police officers in Barcelona on charges of bribery, prevarication and fraud. Specifically, he is accused of providing work and residence permits to members of the Russian mafia arrested as part of the ‘Avispa’ anti-corruption investigation in 2005 and 2006.

Four other individuals were arrested yesterday including two civil servants employed in the national government’s regional headquarters and a member of staff at the Russian Consulate in Barcelona.

Mr Planells, who was questioned several times by the National Police, Guardia Civil and CNI over his relation with the suspects detained during the first two parts of ‘Operation Avispa’, stepped down from his government post last month to take up a position with the Telecommunications Market Commission (CMT).

The first phase of the operation took place in June 2005 when 28 suspects were arrested - 22 of whom were believed to be Russian mafia bosses - and charged with illegal association, money-laundering, and fradulent bankruptcy. 400 officers took part in the operation during which 41 properties were searched and 800 bank accounts frozen. Nine people were arrested in the second phase of the operation in November last year.

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