Spanish Police Seek Documents at Ruling Socialist Party HQ in Criminal Probe, PM Sanchez Vows Cooperation
Agents from Spain's Guardia Civil arrived at the PSOE headquarters in Madrid on Wednesday as part of a High Court investigation into alleged criminal activities, including bribery and influence peddling, aimed at destabilizing judicial proceedings.
The Operation
Agents from the Guardia Civil's economic crimes unit (UCO) arrived at the central headquarters of Spain's ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) on Calle Ferraz in Madrid at dawn on Wednesday. The operation was ordered by the Audiencia Nacional court as part of an investigation covered by judicial secrecy. According to the High Court, the probe focuses on an alleged plot to destabilize judicial proceedings against the party or the government.
The alleged offences include belonging to a criminal organisation, bribery, disclosure of secrets, inducement to give false testimony, false accusation, falsification of commercial documents, misconduct in public office, influence peddling and offences against state institutions.
A Request, Not a Raid
Both the court and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized that the action was a judicial request for specific documents and electronic files, not a full police search. A judicial request for information requires prior notice and targets specific items, as distinct from an "entry and search" carried out without prior notice. Speaking at a press conference in Rome after meeting Pope Leo, Sánchez stressed the party was fully cooperating.
Wednesday's request for documents did not constitute a police search. The party is fully cooperating with the courts and has absolute respect for the judiciary.
The Targets
Investigating judge Santiago Pedraz is leading the inquiry, which centers on former PSOE organization secretary Santos Cerdan, along with other party officials, lawyers, a businessman, and a police officer. This is the first time Cerdan has been named in this case, though he has denied wrongdoing in another investigation. Separately, sources cited by Efe indicated the operation also aims to collect documents related to cash payments made within the PSOE between 2017 and 2024 for settling expenses of executives and employees.
A Party Under Siege
The PSOE has been dogged by a slew of corruption scandals. Last week, the High Court announced it was investigating former Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero on suspicion of leading an influence-peddling and money-laundering network. The so-called 'Koldo case' involves alleged kickbacks linked to medical supply contracts during the Covid-19 pandemic, implicating former Transport Minister José Luis Abalos and his advisor Koldo Garcia, who is currently in pre-trial detention.
If new irregular behaviour emerges, my party will deal with it with the same firmness as before.
Sánchez Responds
Despite the mounting pressure, Sánchez reiterated his support for his predecessor Zapatero, who has denied any wrongdoing. The prime minister insisted that his government would not underestimate the gravity of the investigations but would act decisively against any implicated individuals. The PSOE has already severed ties with one individual linked to the alleged destabilization network.
