Spain’s Ruling Party Headquarters Raided in Influence Peddling Probe
Officers from Spain's Civil Guard entered the national headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) on Wednesday, requesting documentation related to a sealed part of the Leire Díez case.
The Operation
The operation, carried out by officers from the Civil Guard's Central Operative Unit (UCO), also included a search of the home of Gaspar Zarrías, a prominent PSOE figure involved in hiring Díez.
The Background
Leire Díez, a former PSOE fixer, is under investigation for influence peddling. She and Vicente Fernández, the former president of SEPI, were arrested in December. The judge is investigating whether Díez acted independently or on instructions from the party or government.
Official Response
The PSOE issued a statement confirming it received a request for documentation from Court No. 5 of the National High Court, which it complied with fully. The party noted that the proceedings are confidential and unrelated to illegal financing.
Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo described the case as "extremely serious."
Related Developments
The search follows a similar operation a week earlier at former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's offices, regarding the Plus Ultra corruption inquiry.