Sidenor executives testify before the National Court regarding the sale of steel to Israel

MadridThe president of the Basque steel company Sidenor, José Antonio Jainaga, and two other executives are scheduled to testify this Wednesday at noon before the National Court regarding an alleged crime of smuggling and complicity in a crime against humanity or genocide for the sale of steel to the Israeli company Israel Mil Systems (IMSI), the main arms supplier to the Israeli army. This is the first investigation opened in this regard since the start of Israel's massacre in Gaza. The magistrate indicates that the steel sale under investigation, which took place through the Port of Barcelona, ​​was allegedly carried out with "full knowledge" that IMSI is a manufacturer of both heavy and light weapons, and that the supplied material could be used for the manufacture of armaments "in a specific context." However, the case does not focus on the recent arms embargo approved by the Spanish government, but rather predates it and is linked to two different laws: the Organic Law on the Repression of Smuggling and Articles 29 and 607 of the Penal Code. The National Court magistrate is focusing on the procedure the company allegedly followed when carrying out this steel sale. The investigation began in July following a complaint from the Palestinian Community Association of Catalonia-Terra Santa. However, the judge is not only targeting Jainaga and the other two executives, but is also pointing to the company Clerbil, "which holds the position of sole administrator of Sidenor Holdings Europa."

He has little media presence and is aligned with the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV).

The National Court's investigation has caught Jainaga at a crucial moment: the closing of the deal to acquire 30% of the share capital of the Basque train manufacturer Talgo. It also represents a breach of the low profile and media-shy lifestyle that characterizes him. The move in Talgo has the support of the Basque government, but also of SEPI, the Spanish government's investment arm. Jainaga is one of the most highly regarded businessmen in the Basque Country, especially for maintaining and growing the metallurgical industry in the region, according to business sources. For this reason, these same sources emphasize, he has become a stalwart for the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) over the years. His involvement in the Talgo acquisition was a lifeline for the government of Lehendakari (President of the Basque Government) Imanol Pradales because it ensures that a significant portion of the train manufacturer's shares remain in Basque hands. This was also true for the Spanish government, which went so far as to veto the train manufacturer ending up in Hungarian hands. The investigation opened by the National Court raised fears that the deal would fail, but in recent days, according to business sources, there has been "pressure" to get it back on track.