Spanish Court Seeks to Suspend Culture Ministry's Deal with Debt-Ridden Andorran Firm

Spain's Audiència Nacional has called for the suspension and annulment of an agreement between the Spanish Ministry of Culture and Andorran company Antiqvvm Edicions, S.L., citing potential breaches of public procurement rules.

The administrative appeal, reported by Spanish outlet *El Mundo Financiero*, challenges the deal over alleged violations of Spanish contracting regulations. The court is seeking to halt the agreement pending resolution.

Separately, the Commercial Court No. 1 in Murcia has named the Spanish Ministry of Culture as a third-party debtor in a judicial seizure linked to unpaid court costs owed by Antiqvvm Edicions. The Andorran company has faced multiple seizure proceedings since 2017, according to Andorra's companies register. It is now under judicial intervention.

Antiqvvm Edicions is represented by Josep Estañol Cornella, who was removed as a notary by the Andorran government in 2020, prior to the agreement's signing. Its corporate structure includes Santiago Blanch Hernández, connected to the founding family of supermarket chain Caprabo, and Joan Carles Casal de Fonsdeviela, whose shares are subject to seizures.

The case has raised institutional concerns in Spain, as it involves a government ministry entering agreements with a foreign firm holding Spanish capital that owes debts in Spain. This has drawn economic repercussions directly into Spanish territory.

Appellants note that relevant authorities—including the Crown of Aragon Archive and the Central Administrative Court for Contractual Appeals—were notified beforehand but took no action to prevent the dispute.