Puig assures that "there is no person involved" in Azud who is currently a member of the Socialist Party"

He reiterates that the PSPV has taken "the appropriate measures", some of them "painful", and has separated people who may be indicted

VALENCIA, 29 Dec. (EUROPE PRESS) -

The president of the Valencian Generalitat and general secretary of the PSPV-PSOE, Ximo Puig, assured this Thursday that "there is no person directly involved" in the Azud case "who is currently a member of the Socialist Party."

Thus, he has reiterated that this formation has "always adopted the appropriate measures on these issues", while saying that "some have been especially painful" and "have occurred". "People who at a given time may be prosecuted beyond the presumption of innocence have been set aside," he said.

Puig has spoken in this way, in statements to the media, after holding a working meeting on measures to promote regional public transport and visiting the Colón metro station, asked about the statement as a witness of the former manager of the PSPV- PSOE Francisco Martínez Rico, who stated that a company paid expenses for the 2007 electoral campaigns of this formation.

Puig has indicated that during the investigation, "in all cases that may occur", he has "always" shown himself "prudently and waiting for the legal path" finally. "I always respect justice and all its procedures", she has pointed out.

The regional official has indicated that they are "talking about electoral campaigns of 2007 and 2008" and has commented that "at that time there was a different legislation regarding the financing of the parties", but has reiterated that "in any case" he wants to rule "until he knows exactly what the judicial path is."

After that, he stressed that "there is no person directly involved who is currently a member of the Socialist Party." "We have always adopted the appropriate measures in these matters. Some have been especially painful and have occurred. People who at a given moment may be prosecuted beyond the presumption of innocence have been separated," he stated.

Ximo Puig has pointed out that "at this time, the only person who is clearly indicated institutionally" in the Azud case "is the vice president of Les Corts Valencianes del PP" -- alluding to Jorge Bellver, whose name appears on a list of gifts that the plot of the Azud case allegedly did when he held the position of councilor of the Valencia City Council in the time of Rita Barberá's government--.

"There is no one else who is directly identified or investigated who is in a position at the moment," said the head of the Consell, who has called for "maximum prudence."

He then asserted that, "even though some are permanently committed to tarnishing the image of the Botanic Government -- the autonomous executive that presides and is formed by PSPV, Compromís and Unides Podem --, in 2015 the stage of corruption ended in the Valencian Community".

Puig has affirmed that from his party and from the Generalitat they will "always" be as "until now: absolutely decisive in decisions if any issue arises that is not absolutely clean and honest."

Asked about the 'boss' mentioned in the Azud case and that the PP asks to know, Puig has stated that he does not know "what they are referring to". Also, regarding whether he is someone who is not part of the Valencian administration, he has added that "of course not" he is in it.

On this point, he has reiterated that "since 2015 the paradigm of the Valencian Community has changed" and has insisted that "the Generalitat has acted with total firmness" when "a case has occurred that could be a reason for corruption or, even, without reaching political corruption" when seeing that "in some way it denoted a non-positive attitude".

"That is where the paradigm shift occurs", said the 'president', while ensuring that the PP is "still attached to the corruption of so many years" and that its representatives "are linked to that historical heritage".

Ximo Puig has considered that "the Valencian Community does not deserve to go back to that time" and has pointed out that "in all calm and with all honesty we must continue acting in defense of the general interest". "If any person, regardless of the party, commits any irregularity, obviously they must be removed immediately," he added. He has urged "to trust in justice, in the presumption of innocence and the rule of law."

Asked about meetings with businessmen referred to in the Azud case, the head of the Consell has indicated that "they are businessmen who have absolute links with the business fabric of the Community" and has declared that "having a meeting with a businessperson is not symbol of corruption" but "on the contrary, try to attend to the normal relations between the institution and the companies always from honesty and honesty".

"There is nothing that proves at this time that there has been any type of deviation, neither of power nor of money," he added. After that, he has pointed out that the right tries to "generate noise because its only objective is to say that we are all equal" when "we are not equal." "If someone did something wrong, if some type of irregular situation occurred, justice will act and we will always support the action of justice," Puig insisted.