Former member and ex-councilor of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), Leire Díez, has become the focus of a high-profile criminal case. On Wednesday morning, she was detained by Civil Guard officers and is currently being held at a detention center in Tres Cantos. Along with her, former president of the state-owned company SEPI, Vicente Fernández, was also taken into custody. Both arrests are linked to an investigation led by the National Court at the request of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. The operation is ongoing, and further details may emerge in the near future.
Díez, now 52, is a native of Bilbao. Investigators consider her a key figure in the alleged criminal scheme. According to the prosecution, she headed a group whose goal was to discredit the leadership of the Civil Guard’s Central Operational Unit (UCO) and staff of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. All of this was allegedly done to obstruct investigations affecting the interests of politicians and business figures.
Interestingly, Díez describes herself as an investigative journalist and claims she has spent many years delving into the so-called “dark affairs” of the Spanish state. In a recent television interview, she stated that she had committed no wrongdoing and considers herself a victim of pressure. According to her, activism in journalism should not be grounds for criminal prosecution.
The case’s second figure
Vicente Fernández, the second person detained in this case, headed SEPI in 2018 when Pedro Sánchez came to power. He held this position for just one year before moving to the private sector. Later, his name surfaced in connection with the company Servinabar, which features in an investigation known as the ‘caso Cerdán.’
Fernández had previously come under law enforcement scrutiny. Notably, he was a defendant in a case over the distribution of a license for the Aznalcóllar mine in Seville. That case was tried in the Seville court, but details of the outcome have not been disclosed.
Nature of the charges
As part of the current investigation, Leire Díez and Vicente Fernández are accused of accepting bribes and abuse of office. Investigators believe they may have used their connections and influence to interfere with the work of law enforcement and the judiciary. According to prosecutors, their actions were aimed at protecting the interests of certain politicians and businesspeople whose cases were being heard in the National Court.
So far, no formal charges have been filed, and the operation to detain suspects is ongoing. Investigators do not rule out the possibility that more suspects could be added in the coming days. Public attention is focused on this case, as it involves multiple levels of government and business.
Reaction and consequences
The arrests have sparked widespread reaction in Spain’s political circles. PSOE representatives have so far refrained from commenting, stating only that they will monitor the situation as it develops. Meanwhile, the opposition is calling for transparency and a thorough investigation of all the circumstances surrounding the case.
Journalists and experts note that such incidents undermine public trust in state institutions. There is a growing demand in society for honesty and openness from officials and politicians. Investigators have promised to act as transparently as possible and to keep the public informed on the progress of the case.
If you weren’t aware, Leire Díez previously served as a municipal deputy from PSOE and was actively involved in public life in Bilbao. Vicente Fernández, for his part, was appointed head of SEPI in 2018 and was considered close to Pedro Sánchez’s government. SEPI is a major state holding company overseeing shares in Spain’s strategic economic sectors. Both individuals have been in the spotlight among the media and law enforcement before.
