Next phase

The court in Orihuela has now finished the investigation phase of the case involving "ghost" labourers in Bigastro.

The alleged fraud occurred during the terms of Joaquín Moya and Raul Valerio Medina between 2002 and 2011 and involved 48 neighbours who received benefits under the Special Agricultural Scheme. None of them had contracts of employment nor are there any records of them being on the payroll.

The prosecution and defence now have to put their cases forward.