Spanish High Court Accuses Marbella Mayor’s Husband of Criminal Activities
The Spanish High Court has formally accused Lars Broberg, the spouse of Marbella Mayor Ángeles Muñoz, of being part of a criminal organization and laundering money from drug trafficking. However, the case against the 80-year-old, a long-time resident of Marbella, has been temporarily suspended due to his severe physical and mental deterioration, as reported by Spanish online daily El Diario.
Massive Police Operation Leads to Arrests
Lars Broberg and his son, Joakim, were among the 71 individuals arrested last year in a large-scale police operation that spanned Spain and Sweden. The investigation, known as Operación Mueble (Operation Furniture), was initiated in 2018 when Swedish authorities requested the Policia Nacional in Spain to investigate a group of drug traffickers on the Costa del Sol. The operation resulted in the dismantling of the alleged gang, which was accused of exporting large quantities of marijuana and hashish from Andalucía to Sweden and other European countries.
High Court Judge Recommends Trial for 27 Individuals
On September 29, High Court judge Manuel García Castellón recommended that 27 individuals, including Lars and Mikel, be tried for offences related to the organization. If brought to trial, Lars Broberg could face 14-year jail terms for the two offences he is accused of. However, last Thursday, Judge Castellón suspended the proceedings against him in response to a request filed by his lawyer.
Health Condition Halts Proceedings
The Swedish national had been summoned to appear in the High Court in Madrid at the end of September, but the judge called for a forensic examination of the defendant after observing his health condition. The examination concluded that Broberg is not in a condition to testify and that this situation is unlikely to improve, according to El Diario.
Investigating Judge’s Findings
According to the investigating judge’s findings, Joakim Broberg was the boss and was responsible for maintaining contact between the suppliers and the clients of the drugs. The suppliers were located in Morocco, while the clients were in Sweden and other northern European countries. The judge found that the organization had a complex structure with clear hierarchical and disciplinary relationships.
Money Laundering Operations
The judge also detailed that Broberg senior was involved in two operations to mask the origin of the drug money, including the creation of front companies used to make real estate purchases, and the purchase of a large property called El Herrojo. The judge found that just over €2 million had been laundered in the latter dealings.
Marbella Mayor’s Response
When Broberg and his son were first arrested, Marbella Mayor Ángeles Muñoz of the conservative Popular Party claimed that her husband and stepson’s innocence would be proven once the court probe was unsealed. She also claimed that the police operation was an attempt to tarnish the image of Marbella.
Case Progress
The case against her husband will not be completely shelved on the basis of his health and it will proceed against the other suspects. Broberg’s defence will have to send monthly reports to the High Court about his condition.
