The PSOE councillor on the Adra Town Council (Almería), Diego Souto, has submitted a letter of resignation from his councillor’s seat after a complaint for gender-based violence filed against him, which has led to the opening of judicial proceedings. Despite this, he denied the facts and called for "prudence" before "prejudgment" is issued.
"I categorically deny having exercised physical violence against anyone and, in particular, against the mother of my children. I trust that the facts can be clarified with all guarantees and that my right to the presumption of innocence will be respected", he said in a statement sent to the media through the socialist formation.
Souto stated that, "out of responsibility" and so that this "personal" matter does not harm the work of the PSOE and the institutional activity of the Adra Town Council, he has "voluntarily" chosen to step down from his councillor’s seat and focus his "efforts" on "clarifying what happened" and "protecting" his family.
In the same letter, the former councillor has stated his "absolute respect for all the people involved", with special mention of his relatives, and explained that he is immersed in an "especially difficult" separation process, the "personal and family" fallout from which has been "aggravated" by the "public exposure of a situation that belongs to a very sensitive sphere".
"I ask for prudence, respect for privacy, and that there be no prejudgment and no dissemination of unverified claims. The media exposure of this conflict is causing profound harm to people who deserve to be protected, especially minors", he said.
The former councillor trusts that the facts will be clarified and that, once that time comes, "the truth will be given the same public attention that has been paid to the accusations". "I appreciate the respect and understanding of those who believe that these situations must be addressed with calm and responsibility", he added.
The councillor had already indicated this Wednesday his intention to step down after it became known that he was being investigated for an alleged crime of gender-based violence, following his arrest and subsequent release to the magistrate in charge of Plaza number 1 of the Civil and Preliminary Investigation Section of the Court of First Instance of Berja (Almería), who released him on provisional liberty last Monday.
The investigating judge imposed precautionary measures of restraining orders and a prohibition on communication with the complainant. Likewise, civil measures were adopted such as assigning the family home and the custody and care of the children to the mother while the case continues in the investigation phase.
Police sources stated that the arrest took place on Sunday, 1 November, after the complaint filed by the injured party before the Guardia Civil, which activated the protocol that culminated in her arrest. The case will be processed by the holder of Plaza number 2 in Berja, the body competent in matters of violence against women.
From the leadership of the PSOE, they emphasized that they will always act "with absolute firmness and with the greatest speed against events of this kind, which are incompatible with the principles and values of socialists".