National
Two former PMs appear as witnesses in corruption trial
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Mariano Rajoy and José María Aznar denied any knowledge of hidden accounts and cash payments at the Partido Popular from 1989
Former top names of the Partido Popular party, including ex-ministers, have been appearing as witnesses this week in the ongoing trial of their party's former treasurer and amid allegations of illegal party funding.
Aznar, during his virtual appearance. / EFE
Rajoy, during his appearance. / EFE
Among those taking the stand via videolink were two former prime ministers; Mariano Rajoy and José María Aznar. Both denied any knowledge of hidden accounts and cash payments at the Partido Popular from 1989.
Ex-treasurer Luis Bárcenas is on trial and handwritten notes from his time in the job are being used as evidence.
Mariano Rajoy told judges, "Never in my 40 years in the party has anybody told me about that mechanism or way of working." He said recent claims by Bárcenas that the ex-PM was fully aware were "demented or delirious".
For his part, José María Aznar said, "I don't know about any parallel accounts. I wasn't inspector of safety deposit boxes nor did I pay visits to other people's offices. The 'J.M.' [written by Bárcenas] in the papers isn't me," Aznar said.
