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Agents from the UCO, the Civil Guard's specialist unit for sensitive and complex investigations, entered the headquarters of Spain's ruling Socialist Party in Madrid on Wednesday to demand documents linked to a National Court investigation into former party member Leire Diez, judicial sources confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP), El Pais and El Confidencial.
The operation is linked to alleged irregularities within SEPI, Spain's state holding company, involving Diez, known in Spanish media as "the plumber" for her alleged behind-the-scenes political role.
The operation included searches of the homes of former Socialist Organization Secretary Santos Cerdan and businessman Javier Perez Dolset. Investigators also formally named Socialist Party manager Ana Maria Fuentes as a suspect. Investigators suspect party payments to Diez, and others may have financed disinformation campaigns through false invoices.
The wider case involves allegations of criminal organization, bribery, influence peddling, document falsification, and misuse of public funds.
The National Audience has described Diez as participating in a network "aimed at undermining judicial proceedings involving the party or the government."
Leaked audio recordings published in 2025 appeared to show Diez suggesting that prosecutors or state lawyers could help a businessman under a fraud investigation if he provided compromising information about anti-corruption investigators linked to cases involving Sanchez's circle.
Diez has said the conversations were part of a journalistic investigation.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was meeting Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Wednesday when the headquarters search became public. He held a press conference in Rome afterward.
Asked about the investigation involving former prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, in which new details, including the discovery of luxury watches and jewelry in a safe belonging to him, had emerged, Sanchez said: "I think there is no sufficient reason, there is no reason to change that position."
He maintained his support for Zapatero, reiterated respect for the presumption of innocence, and said Spain required "stability."
He said the Socialist Party "respects the judiciary and cooperates with investigations," noting the party had previously severed ties with Diez. "Obviously, if there are irregular behaviors, new ones, we will act with the same firmness as before," he said.
Zapatero, who governed Spain from 2004 to 2011, was placed under formal investigation last week for alleged influence peddling linked to the €53 million ($61.7M) state bailout of airline Plus Ultra during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spain's National Court suspects Zapatero of leading "a stable and hierarchical influence-peddling structure" that sought economic benefits through political connections. Investigators allege he may have been part of a network of shell companies and lobbyists designed to push favorable decisions through Socialist government channels, and that he and his family may have financially benefited.
Zapatero has been summoned to testify in court next month. He has consistently denied wrongdoing or receiving payments from Plus Ultra. Associates said the watches and jewelry found in his safe were linked to family inheritances.
This is the first time in Spain's modern history that a former prime minister has been placed under formal investigation.
Sanchez's own brother, David Sanchez, is scheduled to stand trial for influence peddling. His wife, Begona Gomez, is under investigation in a separate corruption case. His former transport minister and right-hand man, Jose Luis Abalos, is awaiting a verdict in a corruption trial that concluded earlier this month.
Former high-ranking party members are also awaiting sentencing over a corruption case linked to pandemic-era mask procurement contracts.
Sanchez has consistently dismissed cases involving his family as a right-wing "smear campaign."
Opposition leader Feijoo said on Wednesday the government "stinks" of corruption and demanded snap elections.
In 2025, amid mass protests, Sanchez asked the public for forgiveness in connection with an earlier investigation into a former minister and a senior party member over a pandemic-era kickback ring.
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