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A Maracena councillor was allegedly kidnapped at knifepoint and held against her will for several hours by the partner of the town's mayor, Berta Linares (PSOE).

 

The mayor's boyfriend of a year, who is undergoing psychological and psychiatric treatment, has been arrested and a full investigation is underway.

 

Councillor for Agenda 2030 Vanessa Romero's ordeal began on Tuesday morning after dropping her children off at school in the nearby town of Atarfe.

 

According to sources close to the case, she was approached by the suspect who asked her to give him a lift to a petrol station.

 

Once inside the car, the man pulled out a handgun and ordered her to drive around for a couple of hours before finally directing her to a shop in another nearby town where the councillor managed to escape.

 

On discovering the identity of the alleged kidnapper and his relationship with the Mayor, Berta Linares and her entourage were offered protection until he was apprehended.

 

Within 24 hours of the abduction, the mayor's partner was arrested, and it's been reported in several newspapers the couple have split up. She has since issued a statement saying she cannot explain what happened, adding that while the detainee, who does not live with her, knows her local government colleagues, he had little contact with them.

 

In a strange turn of events, the mayor has also assured that councillor Vanessa Romero has received assistance for anxiety and stress, and that she is in "good condition".

 

Linares has also appealed for "calm" among fellow councillors and the public, pledging to defend Romero "to the end".

 

"My defence of the councillor, who is also a woman, will be total. Whoever has done something wrong will pay for it," she said.

 

Maracena council is expected to provide more information about exactly what happened during a press conference scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, February 22.

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Maracena