Marlaska admits Guardia Civil chief told him of Leire Díez meeting, reversing earlier denials

Marlaska changes his version

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska admitted during a Senate hearing on 30 June that Mercedes González, the director general of the Guardia Civil, did tell him about at least one encounter with Leire Díez. The acknowledgment contrasts with earlier statements in which he denied knowledge of such meetings. Marlaska argued that González was not obliged to report private meetings unless they touched on her official duties.

“No engañé a nadie; otra cosa son las conclusiones que usted pueda sacar.”

Television presenter Risto Mejide confronted the minister's claim that he did not know Díez, showing a photograph of the two at an event and warning that lying to an investigative committee is a criminal offence.

“Está mintiendo, cuidado, porque si lo haces en comisión de investigación es un delito.”

The Villalba request

Marlaska described the conversation González relayed to him. She told him that a person from the PSOE had asked her to rehabilitate commander Rubén Villalba, who is implicated in the 'caso Koldo'. González refused, and immediately informed the minister.

“Una persona del PSOE me ha pedido la rehabilitación del comandante Villalba.”

The minister said he neither knew Díez personally nor had any contact with her, and that the plot to discredit the UCO was orchestrated outside the ministry.

Intelligence alert and the PM

Marlaska explained that the first concrete warning came via a note from the Guardia Civil's Information Branch, delivered by Deputy Operational Director Manuel Llamas. The report described a group preparing to smear UCO officers. The minister informed Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in May 2025 and then met with UCO leadership to express solidarity.

“Jamás he dicho a ningún funcionario público algo sobre dejar de investigar un hecho.”

Defying calls to resign

Pressed by opposition senator María Caballero of UPN to step down, Marlaska refused.

“Mientras tenga la confianza del presidente del Gobierno continuaré.”

He gave his full backing to González, saying he had no reason to doubt her integrity and that the ministry had increased the UCO's resources, proof, in his view, of its commitment to letting investigators work unimpeded.