The Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office interprets that, despite the alleged evidence from the Civil Guard that seems to testify to the contrary, Miguel Ángel López did not commit any crime. Prosecutor Sonia Castañeda Redondo’s report is very different from that of the Central Operative Unit (UCO).
She, as reported by the Spanish website Ciclo21, does not believe that López committed any infraction. In her report dated December 3, 2023, prosecutor Castañeda focuses on three of the eight people investigated: Vicente Belda García, former sporting director of Astana; and the couple Ángel Vázquez and Luis Vicente Otín.
Menotropin was found with the group
Menotropin, commercially known as HMG-Lepori, is the common element between them, as it was found with them and later sent via different routes. Dr. Marcos Maynar, the central figure in the investigations, according to the UCO, never prescribed it directly, seeking to complicate its identification by eliminating the trademark on shipments. One of the main divergences lies in the interpretation of Menotropin.
Prosecutor disagrees with the Civil Guard
While the prosecutor considers that it is a legally authorized drug, the Civil Guard maintains that it was used for doping purposes, violating the anti-doping rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), causing physical harm to López.
Furthermore, according to information from Cycle 21, the applicability of article 362 of the Penal Code is questioned by the prosecutor, alleging that it is a crime resulting in a risk to the life or health of the athlete, a criterion not shared by the Guard Civil.
The divergence is accentuated by the fact that Maynar planned Miguel Ángel López’s participation in the 2022 Giro d’Italia, including the injections, and sent the Menotropin vials to Belda García, who suffered adverse consequences following its administration during the race.
Prosecutor requests dismissal of charges
Despite this evidence, prosecutor Castañeda requests the provisional archiving of the three aforementioned investigated people, alleging a lack of rational indications of criminality. This creates uncertainty about the future of the case, as the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s position on the others being investigated is awaited.
The judicial future of Maynar, Bartolomé, Belda Vicedo, Bernal and Pereira, and the possible UCI indictment against “Superman” López, are pending the decisions taken by the prosecutor after evaluating the evidence presented.
Uncertainty persists and the new judge assigned to the case will have to determine the direction of the ongoing judicial process. Meanwhile, the UCI is watching closely to decide whether the evidence supports allegations of doping practices against López, with possible sanctions of up to four years or ultimate acquittal.