Hi-tech on the high seas
Tolkien in Spain Legendary author’s grandson tells us why he set his latest novel during the Spanish civil war
See how the narcos are increasingly using technology to get drugs into Spain See Page 6
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DOPEY DECISION FOOTBALL’S newest superstar Lamine Yamal has finally turned 18 – but his ‘gangster-themed’ birthday has been overshadowed by his choice of entertainment. The youngster finds himself facing investigation by Spain’s prosecution office for the decision to hire four dwarves for his big bash. The event, held in a restaurant just outside Barcelona where mobile phones were banned, featured teammates Gavi and Robert Lewandowski, as well as short-statured Dominican DJ and rapper Chimbala and host of other musicians. The ADEE, an association that champions dwarves’ rights, claims that short-statured people were deliberately hired for 'show' in a move that 'feeds stereotypes', and are now threatening legal action.
Ridicule
The Spanish government has even weighed in on the controversy, demanding to know whether the show used dwarves to ‘provoke ridicule.’ "We are concerned that people with money and power believe they can go unpunished," said Jesus Martin, the government’s director of Disability Affairs. However, one of the dwarves (pictured arriving at the party below) reportedly told local radio: "No one disrespected us, let us work in peace. We're normal people, who do what we want, in an absolutely legal way.” Yamal (left) has yet to comment on the furore.
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PRIME minister Pedro Sanchez has been accused of benefitting from a network of brothels and gay saunas allegedly run by his late father-inlaw. In lurid claims that ripped open a previously taboo topic, the leader of the opposition even asked if the premiere had lived in a flat in Madrid bought from the profits of the prostitution business. PP boss Alberto Nunez Feijoo indicated the father of wife Begoña Gomez had bought the property after selling his shares in a gay brothel called Sauna Adan. According to reports, Sabiniano Gomez and his brothers ran nine brothels from 1989 to 2006, the year that Sanchez and his wife got married. Their company San Bernardo 36 SL
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allegedly managed the Adan sauna, as well as the brothel Roses Girl, in Madrid, and seven others, some outside the city. Another was Sauna Bar, located a short walk from the Bernabeu stadium – home to Real Madrid – where ‘the girls emerged on drugs and semi-naked.’ Right-wing investigators also claim that the prime minister’s wife undertook book-keeping in at least one brothel, while the couple acquired three properties from the profits.
Pimps
SMEARED: Spain’s Pedro Sanchez (left) faces allegations from opposition leader Albert Nunez Feijoo (right)
sive claims centre around illegal links to Romanian pimps and claims that prostitutes were forcibly made to work. At one brothel, Kilometro Ochenta, managed by Begoña’s uncle Francisco Gomez, a human trafficking probe in 2016 led to sentences of 20 years, including a three-year sentence for the manager. Begoña’s father, who has since died, officially sold his stake in the company in 2006 so as not to harm his son-in-law’s political career. The sleazy links have now emerged during a debate in Congress over the corruption allegations engulfing Sanchez’s minority government. In the debate on Friday, Feijoo described the socialist leader as a ‘lucrative particiPLUMBING & AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTS pant in the abominable business of prostiGree Pular 09/25 500 to 3.25 Kw A+++ tution’, before asking: Gas r32 gas refridgerent “What brothels have you lived off?” 4 years manufacturers warranty SPECIAL The accusation WiFi included OFFER sparked angry scenes Supplied and installed as the session destandard installation scended into a shouting match, with one 565€ (plus IVA) PSOE MP insistSOLAR ELECTRIC ENERGY NOW BEING INSTALLED ing the claims were ‘crossing a red line’. Air Conditioning | Bathroom Fitting Gas and Oil Central Heating | Electrics Certification & Inspection | Pool | Solar Energy One of these is a holiday home in Mojacar, in Almeria, bought by Begoña from the company San Bernardo 36 SL, in 2013. Another is a luxurious three-bedroom home, valMASSAGE: ued at €700,000 The Sauna in upmarket Pobar in Madrid zuelo, where the developed couple lived bea notorious fore Sanchez bereputation came Prime Minister in 2018. The most explo-
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The PP leader insisted the line of questioning was legitimate, particularly as the government is seeking to abolish prostitution in Spain. However, Spain’s National Court previously ruled in 2024 that there was no evidence the establishments were brothels, according to Cadena Ser, and went on to slam the allegations as a ‘deplorable partisan’ smear. Nonetheless, they put considerable pressure on Sanchez, who has so far resisted calls for a general election amid a series of recent scandals linked to corruption.
Scandal
He has come under intense pressure since his former right-hand man, Santos Cerdan, was arrested on suspicion of bribery, criminal conspiracy and influence peddling. The charges relate to alleged kickbacks on €500 million of public works contracts that involve Cerdan, the former minister of transport Jose Luis Abalos, and former aide Koldo Garcia. The scandal worsened after audio recordings were released involving Abalos and Garcia discussing sharing prostitutes. They deny wrongContinues on Page 2
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