The Japan Times - Spanish PM denies links to plot to disrupt probes into allies

The suspicions surrounding former Socialist activist Leire Diez have taken on a new dimension after police entered the Socialists' Madrid headquarters on May 27 in search of documents for their investigation.

Days later, the publication of findings from a police report and an order by the investigating judge whipped up a frenzy of media coverage about the alleged skulduggery of Diez and disgraced ex-Socialist heavyweight Santos Cerdan.

The documents, consulted by AFP, allege a structured organisation was set up around Diez and Cerdan with the aim of influencing and destabilising sensitive legal investigations targeting Sanchez, his entourage and his party.

Sanchez denied having any links to the alleged scheme as he attended an EU summit with Balkan leaders in Montenegro on Friday.

"I never endorsed, nor did I ever have any information, nor did I ever have knowledge about something that I would have never tolerated," he told reporters in the port town of Tivat.

Investigators believe the beginning of the suspected scheme dates back to spring 2024, after Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez had been placed under investigation for alleged influence peddling.

A few months later, Diez and other suspects are heard speaking in an audio recording about an order supposedly coming from Sanchez that "everything must be cleaned up".

The alleged plot included payments or favours for Civil Guard staff and prosecutors "in exchange for information or acts contrary to the performance of their duties".

- Succession of scandals -

Also under scrutiny is the alleged proximity between Diez and Mercedes Gonzalez, a former Socialist activist and elected official who was appointed director general of the Civil Guard in 2024 at the government's proposal.

The two women are thought to have held several meetings in 2024 and 2025. The investigation has found that Diez spoke of her "friendship" with Gonzalez and the "trust" between them.

The Civil Guard released a rare statement on Thursday evening denying that Gonzalez ever "participated in any operation against any Civil Guard unit" or "interfered in any investigation performed by" its officers.

The force acknowledged that Gonzalez and Diez had met but denied they discussed the Civil Guard's work.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska backed Gonzalez on Friday, telling journalists in Madrid that she "had no contact with Leire during which there was any conversation, any link to the plot".

Other recorded conversations mention "The One", a nickname which Civil Guard investigators believe refers to Sanchez himself.

References to "S" are thought to involve Cerdan, who held the powerful post of Socialist organisation secretary before being placed under investigation last year in a separate affair about the alleged irregular awarding of public contracts.

Cerdan has defended his innocence in both investigations.

Separate corruption scandals have embroiled Sanchez's wife, brother, former top Socialist officials, and ex-prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a totem of the Spanish left.

The litany of scandals have embarrassed Sanchez, who took power in 2018 promising to clean up Spanish politics after the main conservative Popular Party was convicted in its own corruption affair.

Sanchez has rebuffed opposition demands to resign and call early elections, insisting his minority coalition government will see out its term until the next scheduled vote in 2027.

Y.Hara--JT