Judge Ismael Moreno and the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office have requested that Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Balas continue leading the Koldo case investigation despite his imminent promotion to colonel.
In a ruling issued this Friday, the National Court magistrate has ordered an official letter be sent to UCO chief Colonel Pedro Merino Castro to ensure Balas remains in the Economic and Anticorruption Crime Department.
Prosecutor Luis Pastor stressed that Balas “has played a relevant role” in the investigation and cited Article 16 of Royal Decree 769/1987, which prevents judicial police officers from being removed from a case until its conclusion without judicial authorization.
Balas’s promotion is scheduled for July or August this year. Guardia Civil sources say the measure would allow his temporary continuity in the post through a service commission.
