Former mayor of Canillas del Aceituno to stand trial

THE former mayor of Canillas del Aceituno, Jose Manuel Aranda, is due to stand trial this week in Malaga accused of town planning corruption.

The trial, which was planned for January 19, was postponed and is due to start tomorrow (Friday), when Aranda will face a request from the Public Prosecutor of four years in prison, a fine of €43,000 and a 20-year ban from holding public office.

According to the accusation, in September 2005, a building permit for a house in La Machera area of Canillas del Aceituno was requested. The area is classified as non-urban land and in December that year, the Junta de Andalucia issued a negative report against the house being built because it “did not fulfill necessary requirements”.

This was backed by the municipal architect. However, in March 2006, the project was approved by the mayor and another six members of the council at the time, including the current mayor, Pilar Ortiz, and that in September that year, the permit was granted by Aranda.

The other six allegedly involved are facing two years each in prison, a fine of €21,600 and a 10-year ban from holding public office.

Photo credit: Jørgen Carstensen