Judge Biedma reports intimidation in court as Pedro Sánchez's brother appeals ban
Investigating magistrate Beatriz Biedma testified at Spain's National Court about surveillance and threats from a narcotics clan, while David Sánchez appealed his nine-year disqualification for prevarication in Badajoz.
National Court testimony on alleged intimidation
Badajoz judge Beatriz Biedma testified on Thursday before Magistrate Santiago Pedraz at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid regarding harassment she experienced while investigating David Sánchez. Biedma stated that she felt monitored throughout the judicial instruction of the case. According to legal sources, the judge explained that two defense lawyers for the Los Rochos drug clan told her that former judge Luis Sáenz de Tejada had contacted the criminal network. Sáenz de Tejada, previously expelled from the judiciary for gender violence, allegedly asked the clan to file legal complaints against Biedma and later suggested removing her directly. Biedma attributed his hostility to an earlier domestic violence case where she substituted for a colleague handling a complaint from his former wife.
Surveillance incidents and investigative pressures
During her court appearance, Biedma described specific surveillance encounters that took place during the David Sánchez inquiry. She testified that unknown individuals visited her daughters' school and inquired about schedules while pretending to be her relatives or staff.
I arrived at school with my daughter and they told me, 'Your brother was just here,' and I have no brother. Or I was at a place I frequent every day and they told me, 'Your secretary came here,' and I have no secretary. I know that they have been asking. Whoever it was, that I cannot tell you.
Biedma also reported learning of unauthorized video recordings of herself and her daughters. She confirmed that Civil Guard Colonel Balas met with her following an initial complaint from Manos Limpias, and that Central Operative Unit (UCO) officers reported facing external pressures. Biedma noted that she assigned the case to the anti-corruption unit to avoid local leaks in Badajoz, despite the post paying slightly over 40,000 euros annually. She maintained that these pressures did not influence her judicial decisions.
David Sánchez appeals nine-year disqualification
In Badajoz, defense counsel for David Sánchez submitted a 104-page appeal on Thursday against his conviction by the Audiencia Provincial de Badajoz. The provincial court had sentenced him to nine years of disqualification as a necessary cooperator in prevarication regarding his 2017 hiring as conservatory coordinator and later promotion to head of the Performing Arts Office. Filed by court proctor José Antonio Vegas Carrasco, the appeal requests full acquittal and accuses Biedma of conducting an improper prospective investigation. The document cites an error in evaluating evidence regarding alleged workplace absenteeism and asserts violations of defense rights and communication secrecy. The appeal specifically challenges search warrants issued on 9 and 18 July 2024 that authorized the UCO to seize corporate emails from the Badajoz provincial council.
- David Sánchez is hired by the Badajoz Provincial Council as conservatory coordinator.
- Judge Biedma authorizes judicial searches at the provincial council to seize corporate emails.
- A second search order targets corporate communications at the Badajoz council headquarters.
- A Civil Guard UCO report details intimidation attempts against Judge Biedma.
- Judge Biedma testifies at the Audiencia Nacional as David Sánchez appeals his ban.
Political fallout and National Court proceedings
The testimony prompted immediate political reactions following a Civil Guard report on attempts to disrupt judicial proceedings affecting the governing party. Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo addressed the party's National Executive Board on Thursday, demanding explanations from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez regarding alleged efforts to target the investigating judge.
Spain does not deserve these people. The president of the government must clarify today who gave the order to get rid of the judge who investigated his brother for corruption. The mere possibility causes chills. Therefore, let them answer who gave the order.
Magistrate Santiago Pedraz admitted Biedma as a private prosecutor in the case examining an alleged obstruction network coordinated by former Socialist activist Leire Díez. The UCO report cited a witness statement alleging that Sáenz de Tejada spoke of eliminating Biedma, though the former magistrate is not formally indicted. Biedma confirmed that she does not know Díez and has no record connecting her to the harassment videos.
