Spanish Police Search Socialist HQ, Seizing Files in Probe of 7 Over Corruption Allegations
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 27
Spanish Police Search Socialist HQ, Seizing Files in Probe of 7 Over Corruption Allegations
13 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 27
Civil Guard officers searched the PSOE’s Madrid headquarters on Wednesday and seized documents and electronic files ordered by Judge Santiago Pedraz.
The probe centers on former party member Leire Díez and six others over suspected bribery, influence peddling, false testimony and document forgery tied to efforts to sway police and court cases affecting the ruling party.
Pedraz is also examining former Socialist heavyweight Santos Cerdán, already under investigation in a separate case, while the PSOE says Díez acted alone and she denies wrongdoing.
Pedro Sánchez, speaking in Rome, said the party would cooperate with the courts, ruled out early elections before the vote due by next year, and insisted the scandals have not derailed his minority government.
The raid deepens pressure on Spain’s Socialists, who already face separate investigations involving ex-ministers, former premier José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, and Sánchez’s wife and brother.
What secrets did Spain's ruling party hope to bury by targeting its own judges?
With Sanchez's allies under fire, how deep does the ruling party's alleged criminal network run?