The trial of the Kitchen case begins: Villarejo arrives at the National Court with "enthusiasm"

San Fernando de HenaresThe National High Court kicks off the trial for the Kitchen case. It is the operation orchestrated by the state's sewers to steal from Luis Bárcenas, the former PP treasurer, information or data that could compromise leaders of the Popular Party within the framework of the Gürtel case. Sitting on the defendant's bench are, among others, Jorge Fernández Díaz (who was Minister of the Interior from 2011 to 2016), Francisco Martínez (who was Secretary of State for the Interior), Eugenio Pino (who was deputy operational director of the Spanish police), and retired commissioner José Manuel Villarejo. "I face the trial with great enthusiasm, I trust that the truth will prevail," Villarejo acknowledged upon arriving at the headquarters of the National High Court in San Fernando de Henares. And he said he has no "fear" of going to prison: "If they put me in again, it will be to not get out. Since they've seen that I don't keep quiet, it's normal that this time their plan works out," he added.

The one at the epicenter of the operation is Sergio Ríos, who was the chauffeur of the Bárcenas family and is the one who, in exchange for money from the reserve funds, betrayed them to supply information to the patriotic police. The Prosecutor's Office is asking for fifteen years in prison for Fernández Díaz and nineteen for Villarejo. The main crimes they are accused of are cover-up, embezzlement, bribery, revelation of secrets, and influence peddling.

During the trial, which will last three months, some of the main names from the last stage of the PP in La Moncloa will have to testify. Summoned are Mariano Rajoy –former president of the Spanish government–, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría –former Spanish vice president–, María Dolores de Cospedal –former secretary general of the PP–, Juan Ignacio Zoido –former Minister of the Interior–, Ignacio Cosidó –former director general of the National Police–, Félix Sanz Roldán –former director of the CNI–, and Manuel Sánchez Corbí –former head of the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard–.