PP calls for Albares’ “direct involvement” in the release of the two Spaniards detained in Equatorial Guinea

Eduardo González The People's Party (PP) parliamentary group in Congress has demanded the "direct involvement" of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, to secure the "immediate release" of Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta, the two Spanish citizens imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea since January 2025. In a non-binding motion registered on May 6 for debate in the Foreign Affairs Committee, the PP recalls that Javier Marañón and David Rodríguez, "at the time employees of a Spanish digital services company in Equatorial Guinea," were arrested in Malabo and transferred to Black Beach prison. "Both held professional positions at said company, which is currently being investigated by the Equatorial Guinean authorities for an alleged corporate scheme," the text continues. “The arrest of both men occurred without formal notification of charges, without a reasoned court order, and without access to legal counsel,” the People's Party (PP) warns. “Since then, they have remained in indefinite pretrial detention,” without any formal charges being filed and without any judicial accusation being presented, “in blatant violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Equatorial Guinea is a State Party.” According to the PP, “after more than a year and four months in prison, their families have reported a serious physical deterioration in both detainees.” Javier Marañón, who suffers from respiratory difficulties, has lost more than 20 kilos and has been at risk on at least two occasions due to hunger strikes, while David Rodríguez has suffered a worsening of his hypertension. “It is well known that Black Beach Prison keeps its prisoners in inhumane conditions, including a lack of hygiene, insufficient medical care, and prolonged isolation,” the PP asserts. “The two Spanish citizens have suffered the following conditions: a total lack of medical attention and episodes of punishment in solitary confinement cells without access to the yard,” the statement denounces. According to the People’s Group, the Vice President of the Republic and head of the security apparatus (and eldest son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema), Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, “has conditioned the release of both Spaniards on ‘negotiation channels’ with the parent company, thus confirming the nature of the exchange and effectively portraying them as hostages.” Furthermore, according to the PP, “visits by Spanish consular personnel have been limited to one every two months, insufficient to monitor the detainees’ condition.” “Neither David nor Javier are allowed any communication whatsoever with their lawyers or families, thus violating Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” and “family visits have been prohibited since May 2025,” it continues. The PP also recalls that, in October 2025, the Granada Ombudsman's office asked the Government for greater involvement to guarantee respect for the human rights of the two Spaniards and that, in the same month, the European Parliament denounced in plenary session "the unacceptable conditions of detention and the ill-treatment inflicted on the prisoners and demanded that their well-being and their rights be guaranteed." Government involvement “Given these human rights violations against Spanish citizens, the families of both men have gathered more than 61,000 signatures, which were submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, requesting that the Government take action to secure the release of David and Javier,” the People's Party (PP) continued. “Ultimately, international and consular efforts have been insufficient to date. Equatorial Guinea has refused to provide transparency regarding the situation,” the PP denounced. “The Government's inaction contrasts sharply with successful precedents in similar cases, highlighting the urgent need for immediate and visible measures to guarantee their rights and their release,” they warned. Therefore, the non-binding resolution calls for “the immediate and direct involvement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, through direct dialogue with the authorities of Equatorial Guinea, to demand the immediate release of Spanish citizens David Rodríguez and Javier Marañón.” “Until their release,” the statement continues, the Government must “activate all necessary diplomatic and consular instruments to guarantee effective and independent legal assistance, as well as permanent and unrestricted consular access to the detainees.” The text also urges the Government to “guarantee, through continuous monitoring, the well-being and complete health of the Spanish citizens, as well as respect for their fundamental rights, in accordance with international standards,” and to “demand that the authorities of Equatorial Guinea not politically exploit the case, ensuring their neutrality and preventing any use of Spanish citizens as a means of exerting pressure.” On May 6, José Manuel Albares met in Madrid with the families and lawyers of Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the staff of the Spanish Embassy in Malabo have visited Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta on numerous occasions and are maintaining “numerous efforts with local authorities” to provide the two Spaniards with “proper consular assistance”.

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