Five arrests in 24 hours: judicial pressure mounts on Pedro Sánchez's inner circle

MadridFive arrests in 24 hours have increased the pressure on Pedro Sánchez. The arrests, carried out as part of separate operations, revealed the existence of two other judicial investigations into alleged corruption involving individuals and companies with connections to the Spanish government. The most recent arrests, made this Thursday by the Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) of the National Police, were those of Julio Martínez, owner of the airline Plus Ultra, and the company's CEO, Roberto Roselli. According to sources close to the investigation cited by EFE, the action is part of an investigation into alleged money laundering led by Madrid's Court of Instruction Number 15. Why is the Spanish Prime Minister being targeted? Plus Ultra was bailed out by the State with 53 million euros in 2021 in an operation that generated controversy due to doubts about its viability and alleged links to Chavismo.

These arrests come in addition to that of Leire Díez, a former member of the PSOE, and that of the former president of the State Society of Industrial Holdings (SEPI) – the state's investment arm – Vicente Fernández Guerrero, which was carried out by the Civil Guard yesterday. within the framework of another secret case in the National CourtThese were not the only arrests. The following day, a third arrest was made of another person linked to Sánchez's circle: businessman Antxon Alonso, owner of Servinabar, a company under investigation in the Santos Cerdán case before the Supreme Court, and whom investigators from the Central Operational Unit (UCO) identify as a partner. Cerdán also explained in a statement to the Supreme Court that Alonso helped him establish political connections with EH Bildu and the PNV, two key players for governing the country.

The National Court's Investigating Court Number 6 is investigating the three men for malfeasance, embezzlement, influence peddling, and organized crime. Alonso is also under investigation by the Supreme Court in the case against Cerdán for alleged illegal commissions in exchange for public works contracts. The businessman, along with Díez and Fernández, will appear before the judge at 10:00 AM. The same sources report that 19 searches have been carried out in several provinces of Spain. According to Europa Press, searches were conducted this Thursday in Madrid, Seville, and Zaragoza at companies linked to Servinabar.

The PP points to Montero

The People's Party (PP) has used this case in the National Court to target María Jesús Montero, whom Tellado said "is starting to look like Santos Cerdán." Why are the PP members portraying the First Vice President and Minister of Finance as "the other link" between Sánchez and corruption? Tellado argued that Montero placed one of those arrested, Vicente Fernández Guerrero, at the head of SEPI, which is attached to the Ministry of Finance. "Now her most trusted confidant has fallen," Tellado stated, considering her "responsible" and seeing her situation as "untenable." Montero defended herself by distancing herself from Fernández Guerrero, who left the presidency of SEPI in 2019. "I haven't had any contact with this man since he left. He was barely a year and a bit at SEPI. He hasn't been part of the 'No' group for more than six years," Montero said. Subsequently, Fernández Guerrero worked as an external advisor for Servinabar between 2021 and 2023. Beyond Montero, the Popular Party has demanded that Sánchez personally assume political responsibility for the "thousand shadows of corruption that haunt him." "Nothing could have happened without him," Feijóo asserted.

The role of Leire Díez

The name Leire Díez was unknown until the end of May when some audio recordings came to light that not only brought her out of anonymity but also earned her the title of "plumber of the PSOE." In these recordings, the former socialist activist he asked for compromising information The recording was made by Antonio Balas, head of the economic crimes department of the Civil Guard's Central Operational Unit (UCO), who is leading the investigation into the alleged corruption scheme involving Santos Cerdán, José Luis Ábalos, and Koldo García. Díez responded to the release of the audio by denying that it was a maneuver orchestrated by the party to try to defuse the legal cases affecting Pedro Sánchez's inner circle. According to her version, it was for a journalistic investigation that would result in a book about the state's dirty tricks. Six months later, there is still no publication date, and she was arrested for alleged corruption.

Montero and other voices within the PSOE have said they are not afraid of what Díez might say from now on. The Socialists have always denied that she had that role and have distanced themselves from the former member from the outset, rejecting that she had a relevant part in the organization. The PP does not give credence to the Socialists' version. Tellado has labeled Díez a "plumber The head of the PSOE headquarters in Ferraz, in a press conference, argued that this new investigation against people linked to the party demonstrates that the Spanish government is "rotten" and on the verge of "blowing up." Allies of Sánchez's investiture, such as the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and the Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG), have expressed concern about these arrests, and Podemos has warned the PSOE that it can no longer talk about "maybe."