The Madrid investigating magistrate Arturo Zamarriego has relinquished jurisdiction in the case of former PSOE member Leire Díez in favour of the Audiencia Nacional . In an order dated 11 August 2026, the Juzgado de Instrucción nº 9 de Madrid accepts that the broader investigation already under way there, led by Judge Santiago Pedraz should deal with the events as a single case. This brings together strands that had previously been investigated in parallel.
The investigation concerns suspected coordinated attempts to influence judicial proceedings and use official information for interests outside the legal process. Díez had come under scrutiny in both Madrid and before the Audiencia Nacional over alleged involvement in such a network. According to the courts, Pedraz is conducting a wider investigation involving a larger group of potentially affected people and possible offences relating to state institutions.
With the transfer, Zamarriego cancelled pending procedural steps. These included, in particular, the planned analysis of an audio recording that the prosecutor Ignacio Stampa is said to have made of a conversation with Leire Díez. The acoustic analysis had been scheduled for 20 August by the Acoustics Unit of the Brigada Provincial de Policía Científica . The judge justified cancelling it by the need for a unified evidentiary process in the court now responsible for the case; the public prosecutor’s office supported the decision.
Zamarriego also asked the Audiencia Provincial de Madrid to clarify whether, and within what parameters, it may examine whether units of the Guardia Civil had unlawfully tracked Díez’s personal data or meetings. This concerns distinct aspects of possible investigative measures and remains to be decided separately following the transfer of jurisdiction.
The Audiencia Nacional, under Santiago Pedraz, has been dealing since summer 2025 with a broader set of similar allegations. Parts of the case file were most recently subject to fewer secrecy restrictions after Pedraz partially eased the confidentiality measures. Centralising the investigation could mean that evidence orders and procedural applications are now handled uniformly by the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid, avoiding duplication and reducing jurisdictional disputes. Whether further individuals will be formally named as accused or particular aspects of the case separated will depend on the investigating judges’ and public prosecutor’s next decisions.
In his order, Arturo Zamarriego notes that the close substantive connection between the events under investigation favours transferring the case. Pedraz had previously asked for the entire case to be brought together at the Audiencia Nacional.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).