Soria councillor resigns from PSOE and council after seventh arrest in graft probe

Operation widens

The Guardia Civil's 'Operación Fuentona' has now netted seven detainees after a seventh person was arrested at 17:00 on Wednesday at the Soria command post. The woman, a local resident, joins six others detained a day earlier, including Yolanda Santos, the former councillor for Environment, Tourism and Trade. Tuesday's coordinated action involved three searches: the city hall, which lasted around 12 hours, and two private homes. Four of the initial arrests were made in Soria province and two in Madrid.

Santos steps down

After spending the night in custody, Santos appeared before the judge on Wednesday morning and was released on provisional liberty with the obligation to report every 15 days. Hours later she issued a statement confirming her irrevocable resignation from both her council seat and her membership of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).

“I want to place on record that I remain completely calm and have absolute confidence in the Justice system, in its work and that everything will be clarified with time and the guarantees that correspond in a state governed by the rule of law.”

She described the decision as one taken out of "personal and institutional responsibility" to avoid reputational damage to the council and the party. Santos also urged respect for the judicial process and for the families of all those affected.

Alleged offences

The investigation is being directed by Soria's Instruction Court No. 3 and the provincial public prosecutor's office. Proceedings remain under judicial secrecy. The alleged offences span influence peddling, administrative prevarication, prohibited negotiations and activities for public officials, document falsification, money laundering and criminal organisation. All are offences under the Spanish Criminal Code.

Sources close to the investigation told the EFE news agency that the suspected irregularities relate to contracts awarded to a company linked to the former councillor.

Political reaction

The PSOE-led city government has suspended Santos from her duties, and the party has suspended her membership. The opposition People's Party group has formally requested information from the mayor's office about what transpired in the hours before Tuesday's court-ordered search, claiming the council had received a communication on Monday warning that a search of municipal offices was imminent.