Operation at Ferraz

Agents from the Unidad Central Operativa (UCO) of the Guardia Civil arrived at the PSOE's central headquarters on Calle Ferraz in Madrid early Wednesday morning. The operation, authorized by National Court Judge Santiago Pedraz, was not a surprise raid but a formal judicial request for specific documentation and electronic files. The UCO sought to extract the complete contents of corporate email accounts belonging to former organizational secretary Santos Cerdán, party manager Ana María Fuentes, communications chief Ion Antolín, and other staff members, with searches covering periods from 2021 to the present.

“Confiscate diverse documentation and electronic files within the framework of an investigation into a network aimed at destabilizing judicial processes affecting the ruling party.”

The Alleged Criminal Structure

Judge Pedraz's court order, seen by multiple Spanish media outlets, places Santos Cerdán at the apex of the alleged scheme. The magistrate asserts that Cerdán, in his capacity as organizational secretary, "put the PSOE's own structure at the disposal of the criminal structure." The order details how the party allegedly covered the costs of the activity, provided personnel for administrative functions, offered its premises for meetings, and financed logistics including travel and vehicle rentals for members of the network.

“From its inception, it bore the cost of the investigated activity, allowed it to use its personnel for administrative functions, provided its premises for holding meetings, or bore the cost of logistics.”

Financial Trail and Key Figures

The investigation centers on former PSOE militant Leire Díez and alleged irregular payments made to her in 2024. According to the court documents, these payments were channeled through various companies or false invoices, including four payments of €4,000 each from the consultancy Zaño, owned by former Andalusian vice-president Gaspar Zarrías, allegedly arranged by Cerdán himself. Beyond Cerdán, Zarrías, and Fuentes, the National Court has also charged businessman Javier Pérez Dolset, two lawyers, and a former police officer. The alleged crimes under investigation include membership in a criminal organization, bribery, disclosure of secrets, inducing false testimony, false accusation, falsification of commercial documents, misconduct in public office, influence peddling, and crimes against state institutions.

Simultaneous Searches

While the document seizure was underway at Ferraz, UCO agents simultaneously searched several private residences. Cerdán's home in Milagro, Navarra, was searched throughout the morning, concluding around 3:00 p.m., with agents leaving carrying various documents. The home of Gaspar Zarrías in Madrid and the residence of businessman Javier Pérez Dolset in Móstoles, Madrid, were also searched. The court has requested access logs to the Ferraz headquarters for 26 individuals across 36 specific dates between April 2024 and May 2025, including visits by former commissioner José Manuel Villarejo and former PP Secretary of State for Security Francisco Martínez.

Political Fallout

News of the UCO operation at Ferraz disrupted the government's parliamentary control session in Congress. Government coalition partners expressed growing unease. ERC spokesman Gabriel Rufián described the action as a "terrible anomaly" and set irregular financing as a red line, stating his party would demand elections if evidence of illegal financing is proven. Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz voiced her displeasure from her seat, while Sumar's Enrique Santiago denounced what he called a "very organized three-pronged destabilization operation" involving the political right, a minority within the judiciary, and the U.S. Embassy in Madrid.

“If there were evidence, we would call for elections.”

Timeline of Key Dates

The court order highlights 36 specific dates coinciding with judicial developments in cases involving individuals close to the government. The period begins around April 24, 2024, when Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez published an open letter announcing a period of reflection on his continuity following the opening of preliminary proceedings against his wife, Begoña Gómez. Other flagged dates align with developments in the cases of the former Attorney General, Sánchez's brother David Sánchez, the 'Koldo case', and proceedings against the partner of Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso.