The Madrid investigating judge Arturo Zamarriego has handed over the investigation in the case of Leire Díez to the Audiencia Nacional In his order, he refers to evidence of an “important criminal network” in which people of “higher rank” may have played a part. The three people he had investigated up to that point—the former PSOEactivist Leire Díez, the businessman Javier Pérez Dolset and the journalist Pere Rusiñol —may therefore not be the network’s main figures. This position is consistent with the assessment of Santiago Pedraz, who is conducting a more extensive, ongoing investigation at the Audiencia Nacional, in which the former PSOE organisational secretary, Santos Cerdán, is among those under investigation.
Established facts: Zamarriego was the first judge to open an investigation into Leire Díez in 2025. His decision to hand over the case is based on findings by the Unidad Central Operativa of the Guardia Civil. According to the documents, Díez allegedly offered payments or benefits to Guardia Civil officers and prosecutors in exchange for official information. The Audiencia Nacional is conducting a parallel, broader case involving other suspects and similar allegations. The transfer to the court with nationwide jurisdiction will bring together the strands previously investigated separately.
Attributed assessments: The view that this is a nationwide network of institutional significance, and that the three people investigated by Zamarriego were allegedly in subordinate roles, comes from the Madrid judge’s order and is based on information supplied by the Guardia Civil. The grounds for jurisdiction—the possible involvement of higher-ranking actors and the complexity of the events—also follow Zamarriego’s argument and are consistent with the position taken by Santiago Pedraz at the Audiencia Nacional.
Context and implications: Combining the proceedings is intended to prevent contradictory decisions and coordinate the gathering of evidence. At the same time, broadening the scope of the investigation may lengthen the proceedings and increase their political sensitivity, as other figures close to the PSOE, besides Leire Díez, are now under scrutiny. Which specific offences will ultimately be charged remains unclear; the investigation is ongoing. The case has been transferred to the Audiencia Nacional. It remains to be seen whether suspicions of a network directed from above will be substantiated and whether further groups of suspects will emerge.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).