The legal dispute between Santiago Santana Cazorla and his family, on the one hand, and Eustasio López, president of Lopesan, on the other, has intensified with the incorporation of a new actor into the '18 Lovas' case, According to Atlántico Hoy, Alberto Santana Trujillo, son of Santiago Santana Cazorla, has requested to appear in the proceedings through an association called Civis, with the aim of accusing López and others under investigation of crimes related to the prostitution of minors. Civis has its headquarters at Lomo Maspalomas, 138, as Maspalomas24H was able to verify with regional sources.
Lopez's defense has changed: The president of Lopesan has hired the former magistrate José Antonio Choclán, the lawyer of Víctor de Aldama or Vicente Boluda, has responded saying that this is a tool of legal trickery to undermine the hotel businessman. According to a recent written response to the request for appearance to which Atlántico Hoy has had access, the lawyer believes that Civis's maneuver seeks to discredit López by leaking the summary data and the resolutions. The association lacks a social track record and experience in defending the fundamental rights it appeals to in order to access the criminal process.
Eustasio López has strongly reiterated his innocence in relation to the accusations made in the 18 Lovas case, stressing that he has never participated, either directly or indirectly, in activities related to the crimes under investigation. His defence emphasises that there is no solid evidence linking him to the aforementioned criminal acts and that the accusations lack legal basis. López, recognised for his business career and contribution to the economic development of the Canary Islands, has stated that he will fully cooperate with justice to clarify the facts and protect his reputation from what he considers to be unfounded and damaging accusations.
Santana Trujillo has launched a legal crusade against López, filing multiple lawsuits against him. Two complaints, filed in higher courts, and numerous commercial lawsuits demonstrate the intensity of this legal battle, motivated by a business dispute. According to Atlántico Hoy, the following are being prosecuted: Agustín Alemán Barreto: two crimes of sexual assault, nine of inciting prostitution of minors, 14 of prostitution of minors and two of degrading treatment; Eugenio Hernández León: 15 crimes of prostitution of minors and two of inciting prostitution of minors; Emilio Cabrera Caballero: seven crimes of prostitution of minors; Domingo Hernández Tarajano: four crimes of prostitution of minors and Antonio Dascenzo: one crime of prostitution of a minor.
Civis, an association created in 2023, argues that its interest in the case is due to the seriousness of the crimes investigated and its commitment to defending human rights. However, the defendants' lawyers question the impartiality of this association, pointing out that its true intention would be to harm Eustasio López in the context of a pre-existing business dispute.
The 18 Lovas case investigates an alleged child prostitution network and has generated great media attention. The accused face charges for crimes such as prostitution, sexual exploitation and corruption of minors. The Las Palmas Court will have to decide whether to allow Civis to appear in the proceedings and whether the accusations presented by Santana Trujillo are founded. The legal battle between the two parties has its roots in a business conflict that dates back several years. Santana Cazorla and López have been involved in multiple lawsuits, both in the civil and criminal fields. The request for Civis to appear in the 18 Lovas case adds to this long list of legal confrontations.
The lawyers for the accused have warned the Las Palmas Court of the possible spurious interests behind Civis's request for appearance. According to the defence, the association would be using this case to discredit Eustasio López and gain an advantage in their business dispute. The Las Palmas Court will have to carefully analyse the arguments of both parties before making a decision. The resolution of this case will have important implications for both the accused and the victims of the alleged crimes. The legal battle between Santana Cazorla and Eustasio López has reached a new level of complexity with the entry of Civis into the scene. The Las Palmas Court will have to decide whether the association has a legitimate interest in the case or whether, on the contrary, it is being used as a tool for an ulterior purpose.
