Head of Civil Guard summoned to testify as investigated party in misconduct case
Magistrate Santiago Pedraz has summoned Mercedes González, director of the Armed Institute, to appear on 16 July as an investigated party in alleged crimes of misconduct and obstruction of justice in the Leire Díez case.
Head of Civil Guard summoned to testify as investigated party in misconduct case
Magistrate Santiago Pedraz has summoned Mercedes González, director of the Armed Institute, to appear on 16 July as an investigated party in alleged crimes of misconduct and obstruction of justice in the Leire Díez case. The Anti-Corruption Prosecution requested her indictment.
The investigation focuses on the alleged intermediation of former socialist leader Leire Díez—linked to the Ferraz headquarters—to have an investigation opened into the Central Operational Unit (UCO) for possible leaks in judicial cases affecting the Executive and the family circle of President Pedro Sánchez.
Initially, González denied having met with Díez, but later admitted via a statement to at least two meetings intended to deal with the rehabilitation of Commander Rubén Villalba, also implicated in the Koldo case. During those contacts, in the summer of 2022, González was serving as Government delegate in Madrid and Díez as head of Institutional Relations at Correos.
The highest official of the Civil Guard assured that she never interfered in any investigation. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska defended his colleague. After initially denying knowledge of such meetings, days later he publicly acknowledged that González informed him of at least one meeting, something he reiterated during his appearance in the Senate last week.
Antonio Maíllo, leader of United Left, called for her "immediate" dismissal. From Podemos, Pablo Fernández described it as "pathetic" that the head of the Executive has not removed the director following her indictment. For her part, Yolanda Díaz and Pablo Bustinduy avoided commenting on the case and merely called for measures against corruption.
Source: ABC
Source: ABC