The investigating judge at the Audiencia Nacional, Santiago Pedraz, has summoned former judge Luis Sáenz de Tejada as a suspect in the proceedings concerning Leire Díez . In an order issued on 13 October, Pedraz said there were grounds to suspect offences of forming a criminal organisation, defamation, coercion and an offence against moral integrity. The examination is scheduled for 10.30am on 28 October 2026.
The case was triggered by the testimony of Judge Beatriz Biedma, who appeared as a witness before the Audiencia Nacional on 8 October. Biedma said she had learned that Sáenz de Tejada had contacted a drug-trafficking clan in an attempt to intimidate her while she was conducting proceedings against the brother of Pedro Sánchez . In his decision, Pedraz refers to information from the Unidad Central Operativa of the Guardia Civil, which describes alleged contacts and attempts at intimidation.
The investigation documents also name a woman listed in the files as Cintia Rocho and known as La Celsa , with whom Sáenz de Tejada is alleged to have had links. Pedraz has also summoned her lawyer, Raúl Montano, as a witness for the same day. Investigators have reportedly documented accounts of targeted campaigns aimed at discrediting and pressuring the judge.
Sáenz de Tejada has argued in writing that the UCO report contains untruths about him. Pedraz informed him that his complaint did not fall within his court’s jurisdiction. At the same time, the investigating judge referred to the status of the investigation and ordered him to appear as a suspect. The person concerned has yet to respond to the allegations; the presumption of innocence applies.
The decision is part of a series of measures in the Leire Díez case, in which Pedraz has classified further individuals as suspects or questioned them as witnesses in recent weeks. The content and scope of any potential criminal liability are subject to the ongoing investigation. No decision has been made on guilt or punishment.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).