El Hierro Hotelier to Stand Trial for Leaking Minister’s Private Medical Records

A prominent hotel owner in El Hierro is set to face trial for allegedly leaking the private medical records of the island’s Minister of Tourism, María del Mar Suárez Armas. The case, which marks a significant moment for privacy rights in the region, has been moved from the Valverde Court to the Criminal Section in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Magistrate Antonio Mazuecos has accepted the Public Prosecutor's evidence, meaning the businessman now faces a potential conviction for the disclosure of secrets. While he will remain free during the trial, the court has ordered him to post a 5,000-euro bail to cover any potential financial penalties.

The charges stem from an incident last May. Investigators allege that the businessman accessed sensitive medical documents that the Minister had submitted as part of a separate, earlier legal dispute involving libel and slander.

The prosecution’s case relies on digital evidence that the judge describes as conclusive. Forensic analysis traced the request for the medical files back to the businessman’s digital certificate. This was further confirmed by an IP address linked to a telecommunications line registered in his name.

This case highlights the challenges of maintaining cybersecurity within the public sector as judicial files become increasingly digitized. Spanish law is strict regarding the protection of privacy, particularly when personal information is weaponized in personal or political disputes—a factor that will be central to the upcoming trial in Tenerife.