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Spanish politician Barbera dies after corruption testimony Spanish politician Barbera dies after corruption testimony
(35 minutes later)
A leading Spanish senator and ex-mayor of Valencia, Rita Barbera, has died of a heart attack at 68, doctors say.A leading Spanish senator and ex-mayor of Valencia, Rita Barbera, has died of a heart attack at 68, doctors say.
On Monday, she testified before the Supreme Court over claims of money-laundering by the ruling Popular Party (PP) during her 24 years as mayor.On Monday, she testified before the Supreme Court over claims of money-laundering by the ruling Popular Party (PP) during her 24 years as mayor.
Paramedics tried to resuscitate her for half an hour after receiving an emergency call from a Madrid hotel at about 07:00 local time (06:00 GMT).Paramedics tried to resuscitate her for half an hour after receiving an emergency call from a Madrid hotel at about 07:00 local time (06:00 GMT).
The Supreme Court began investigating Ms Barbera in September.The Supreme Court began investigating Ms Barbera in September.
Many of her team have been accused of corruption, but Ms Barbera denied any involvement in a suspected illegal financing network.Many of her team have been accused of corruption, but Ms Barbera denied any involvement in a suspected illegal financing network.
A lower court judge initially requested an investigation in April, but Ms Barbera's status as a senator, granting her immunity from the lower courts, meant she could only be investigated by the Supreme Court.
The investigation relates to Operation Taula, which saw 24 people arrested in January and is focused on the activities of local officials in Valencia, Alicante and Castellon.
All those held have links to the PP, the dominant political force in the region until elections brought a sea change in May 2015.
Spain's parliament held a minute's silence for the senator, and political colleagues paid their respects on social media.
Political opponents also expressed their condolences, but not everyone remained in the chamber of parliament to observe the minute's silence.