Ayuso Aide’s Testimony⁤ Halted in Madrid⁤ Elderly Deaths ⁤Probe

‍ ⁢ Updated June 03, 2025

The magistrate in Leganés ⁣investigating the deaths of ‍elderly residents⁤ in ⁤Madrid ⁢has suspended the‌ testimony of Antonio Burgueño, a high-ranking health official under⁢ Isabel​ Díaz Ayuso during the pandemic. This decision was made due to the‍ possibility that Burgueño may be summoned ‍as a defendant in the future.

The judge, who⁢ has already heard testimony from former councilor Alberto Reyero and Juan Abarca of HM Hospitals, granted the Prosecutor’s Office request after Burgueño stated that, in a March 11 meeting with Ayuso and⁢ her‍ staff, he ‍proposed a single ‌health command‌ structure.

​ ‍This is one of two courts ‌in ​the region that ​have recently opened criminal cases to investigate the deaths of ⁤elderly individuals in residences and the health protocols ​implemented by Madrid’s health authorities. These ⁤protocols, according​ to​ those affected, resulted in the deaths⁤ of over 7,000 people. ​Burgueño, who at⁢ the time was⁤ a⁣ health ‌advisor responsible for preparing the “shock plan” announced by the regional government ⁤during the early⁣ weeks of⁤ the pandemic, is⁢ already facing ​charges in another case being investigated by‌ a court in Plaza de ⁤Castilla.

‍ According to ⁤Carlos Castillo, the lawyer representing the prosecution, ‌the magistrate ⁢in Leganés halted Burgueño’s testimony after the Prosecutor’s Office​ requested it. ‌Burgueño had explained ⁤that on March 11, 2020, he attended a meeting with‌ Ayuso, her cabinet‍ chief Miguel Ángel⁣ Rodríguez,⁤ and ‍her ‌health and finance advisors. While the protocols ⁤were not discussed,he proposed creating a single health ‌command.

What’s next

⁢ ‍The investigation into⁢ the Madrid elderly deaths probe continues, with ​potential implications for Isabel Díaz​ Ayuso and her management. Further testimonies and evidence are ‍expected ​to be ⁤presented as the⁢ case⁢ progresses.
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