Spain’s judiciary is completely independent and the Spanish government cannot force the judicial authority or the public prosecution to extradite Egyptian businessman Hussein Salem to the Egyptian authorities, according to the Spanish ambassador to Egypt, Fidel Sendagorta.

The Spanish diplomat confirmed during a press conference held by the Egyptian Democratic Institution that his government is cooperating with Egypt to return Salem to Egypt. He said the government has agreed to start legal measures in this regard.

“The Spanish authorities conducted investigations with Salem into corruption crimes that he committed such as taking bribes and embezzling public funds,” said Sendagorta.

“During the investigations,” he added, “the Spanish police discovered that there is evidence that Salem committed crimes of money laundering, so the public prosecutor demanded the judge study the accusations.”

Sendagorta also commented on the current situation in Egypt. He said, “What Egypt witnesses now is similar to what took place in Spain during the democratic transition. Egypt has a caretaker government which does not express the Egyptian people, so the Egyptians wait for the elected government which will express their aspirations.” He added that the Egyptian people need a real democratic regime that will be based on separating between the authorities.

Members of the democratic institution said they visited Spain this month and met Egypt’s ambassador to Madrid, who expressed Spain’s interest in Egypt’s revolution. They quoted the ambassador as saying Salem is accused of money laundering, so the Spanish authorities prevented him from leaving the Spanish territories, as he is also a Spanish citizen.

The members said the Spanish Foreign Ministry confirmed the government’s insistence to extradite Salem in response to Egypt’s diplomatic efforts.