Alicante Police Chief Fernando Aldave Arrested for Alleged Abuse
Fernando Aldave, the Chief of the Local Police in Alicante, has been arrested on charges related to gender-based violence. This information was confirmed by Radio Alicante. Aldave, who was recently approved for a promotion to commissioner of the local police, faces serious allegations of abuse.
Details of the Arrest
The arrest was executed by the Guardia Civil following a complaint lodged by his ex-partner. This incident took place in San Vicente del Raspeig. Aldave, who has recently separated from his wife, was on vacation during the holiday season. After his arrest on Tuesday, he spent the night in custody and is expected to appear before a judge.
Recognition and Career Context
In October 2020, Aldave was awarded the Cruz Blanca medal for his dedication and professionalism in ensuring safety in Alicante. He was slated to become the interim commissioner, a role he would share with the current commissioner, Raúl Romero. Both men were seen as potential successors to the current chief commissioner, José María Conesa, ahead of his upcoming retirement.
Reactions from Local Authorities
The Ayuntamiento of Alicante stated that they have not received any official information regarding the arrest or related police actions. Julio Calero, the councilor for Security, mentioned that any precautionary measures would depend on judicial resolutions. He underscored the importance of respecting judicial proceedings and maintaining the presumption of innocence while expressing hope for a swift clarification of the circumstances.
Political Responses
- Opposition parties have unified in their stance of upholding the presumption of innocence.
- Progressive parties are calling for Aldave’s temporary removal from duty until the situation is resolved.
- Rafa Mas, spokesman for Compromís, suggested canceling Aldave’s upcoming appointment as commissioner and urged the council to start an inquiry and revoke his firearm privileges.
- Victoria Melgosa from the PSOE stated it is severe for a public servant to be alleged as an abuser.
- Manolo Copé from EU-Podem emphasized the need for a decisive response against violence of this nature.
- Carmen Robledillo of Vox expressed concern over the timing of the incident, coinciding with the presentation of conclusions from a municipal commission on the local police’s critical situation.
The situation continues to develop as authorities and local leaders await further judicial actions in this serious case involving alleged domestic abuse.
