One of the nine people arrested over the kidnapping of Sanlúcar businessman, Rafael Ávila, is Raúl Brey Ábalo, who is a first cousin to Partido Popular leader, Mariano Rajoy Brey.

Raúl is also the brother of José Javier Brey Ábalo, a professor of Theoretical Physics at Sevilla University whom Mr Rajoy was quoting when he famously questioned the extent of global warming at a conference at the end of last year.

Mr Ávila was freed in a raid on a rural property in Almonte (Huelva) during the early hours of yesterday morning. His two captors were arrested at the scene and seven others have since been detained at various addresses in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Sevilla and Madrid.

Police raid ends 16-day kidnap ordeal
By: thinkSPAIN
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Rafael Ávila was freed in a dramatic raid by GEO police special forces on a rural chalet in Almonte (Huelva) overnight. Two Spanish nationals were subdued and arrested at the scene.

This morning, two further arrests have been made in Sevilla and police are not ruling out further detentions over the next few hours.

Mr Ávila (45), a prominent local businessman from Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cádiz), was reported missing at the start of the month and his family had since been sent a ransom demand for two million euros which was due for payment today.

He is now recovering from his ordeal in hospital, and said to be "well" by his wife, Mila, who has spoken to him.

Police fear missing businessman may have been kidnapped
By: thinkSPAIN
Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Although no ransom demand has yet been made, National Police detectives fear that Rafael Ávila Tirado (45), a well-known businessman from Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cádiz), who has been missing since Monday, may have been kidnapped.

Mr Tirado was reported missing yesterday morning by his father after he failed to return home the previous night.