Police raid on PSOE offices in Madrid over illegal financing
Spanish police entered the central headquarters of the governing Socialist Party following a court order. The investigation concerns an illegal financing mechanism, bribery and links to Venezuela.
Police raid on Spanish Socialist Party headquarters
Spanish police conducted a search of the Socialist Party (PSOE) headquarters in Madrid, following a court order aimed at gathering evidence concerning an illegal financing mechanism, according to ERT and Spanish media outlets, including El País.
A police spokesperson confirmed the entry into the party's central offices, without providing further details, citing the confidentiality of the investigation.
Seizures and individuals involved
The investigation focuses on a former party member, Leire Díez, with accusations of bribery and obstruction of justice. Jewellery — necklaces and earrings — found in a safe deposit box were seized from his office, as well as watches and cash.
In parallel, the home of a businessman friend was searched, where approximately 300,000 euros in cash, nine watches, 14 mobile phones and notebooks with details of contacts and agreements with the Venezuelan regime were found.
Series of scandals afflicts Sánchez government
The party of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez now faces multiple corruption cases. The next day, the Prime Minister's own brother is to be tried, whilst corruption charges — connected to her professional activities at the university — have also been brought against his wife. The former Transport Minister has already been referred to trial for bribery in exchange for contracts during the pandemic period. All deny the accusations.
In two weeks, former Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero will appear before an investigating judge, on 17 or 18 June, following the formal opening of an investigation against him last week. He is accused of bribery, fictitious contracts and money laundering in cooperation with the Venezuelan regime, within the framework of the "Plus Ultra" case.
The Plus Ultra case and Venezuelan interests
At the centre of the case lies the state bailout of the airline Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas during the pandemic. In March 2021, the company received a loan of 53 million euros from a public fund of ten billion euros intended for support for "strategic" businesses. The company is headquartered in Madrid, however among its major shareholders are Venezuelan businessmen, whom the right-wing opposition portrays as linked to the regime of overthrown president Nicolás Maduro.
Opposition calls for early elections
The leader of the conservative People's Party (PP), Alberto Núñez Feijóo, stated that the Sánchez government "stinks" of corruption and reiterated his call for early elections.
Source: ERT