The arrest of two 19-year-olds in Las Palmas for the disclosure of sensitive data belonging to government members and public figures, including Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has caused a nationwide stir. The youths allegedly published home addresses, phone numbers, ID numbers, and email addresses of high-ranking individuals, some of whom are directly involved in the “Koldo Case.” This incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the security of personal data in the digital age.
Spectacular Arrest: Young Hackers in the Crosshairs of Investigations
The National Police announced the arrests on Tuesday via their social networks. The two 19-year-olds, both born in 2006, were taken into custody in the province of Las Palmas. The investigations, led by Judge Francisco de Jorge of the National High Court, are under summary secrecy, indicating the high sensitivity and complexity of the case.
The leaked data concerns not only Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez but also other prominent figures such as the President of the Congress, Francina Armengol, and the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Salvador Illa. Particularly explosive is the fact that individuals involved in the “Koldo Case” corruption scandal are also affected. These include former PSOE official Santos Cerdán, former minister José Luis Ábalos, his former advisor Koldo García, and businessman Víctor de Aldama.
“Koldo Case” and Involvement in Data Leaks
The “Koldo Case” is a far-reaching corruption case currently under investigation by the Supreme Court. The involvement of individuals linked to this case in the current data leak underscores the interconnection of political and cybercrime. The question arises whether the data leaks were specifically used to discredit or influence in the context of the “Koldo Case.” Investigations must clarify the motives behind the youths’ actions.
Series of Data Leaks: A Worrying Development
This is not the first time sensitive data of government members in Spain has been made public. On June 19, there was already a first wave of confidential information publications via a Telegram channel. At that time, Vice President María Jesús Montero and ministers Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Óscar Puente, Luis Planas, Diana Morant, Ana Redondo, and Elma Saiz were among those affected. Former politicians of the conservative People’s Party (PP) like María Dolores de Cospedal and Rafael Catalá were also affected by this first leak. The Telegram channel in question had over 92,000 followers at the time, demonstrating the reach and potential impact of such data leaks. The now-arrested youths are also allegedly responsible for leaking data of several media professionals.
The frequent data leaks are an alarming sign of the vulnerabilities in data security of state institutions and personal data of politicians. They raise questions about the protection of privacy and the effectiveness of security measures. The National Police continues its investigations to determine the full extent of the data leaks and bring further culprits to justice. It remains to be seen what further revelations this case will bring.
