mystery surrounding the murder of former Polop mayor Alexander Ponsoda

After following countless unsuccessful lines of enquiry officers from Guardia Civil think that they have finally uncovered the mystery surrounding the murder of former Polop mayor Alexander Ponsoda after they apprehended a man in Alfaz on a totally unrelated issue. The secrecy surrounding the case was lifted by the presiding judge on Monday and this was one of the first pieces of information to be released.

The Alfaz arrest took place in 2006 when a man was detained following the discovery of five handguns and over 300 cartridges. The report says that some of the bullets found were consistent with those used in Ponsoda’s shooting and it was this source of information that led the arrests of seven suspects allegedly involved. Although it is not known how he is related to the initial case, following the murder, the Guardia were also able to produce a witness who it is understood has been offered immunity from prosecution. This ‘protected’ witness stated that former Mayor, Juan Cano, participated in meetings where the murder of Ponsoda was discussed. He was also able to identify a number of other individuals who also took part. It is understood that they regularly took place in a nightclub situated in the Marina Baixa.
Raul M. T. was the first of the detainees to be formally charged. Although not directly involved in the murder he was sentenced in December to six years in prison for stockpiling weapons, ammunition and drugs. Within hours of the death of Ponsoda, a British couple was arrested after they had previously been seen arguing with the mayor over a property dispute. Although the couple were later released their activities were closely monitored by the Civil Guard during the following months. The summary reveals that this line of enquiry was finally dismissed when it was realised that the couple had nothing to do with the crime.
Although a number of individuals are still being held by the Guardia Civil, Lawyers for the Defence are now also studying the contents of the summary, as they believe that the evidence for keeping them in prison is very weak and based only on the statements of the protected witness.