The fourth week of hearings in the ‘Operation Kitchen’ case begins in Madrid—a high-profile trial taking place at the National Court. In the spotlight are the testimonies of two prominent figures: Guillermo Bárcenas, son of the former People’s Party (PP) treasurer, and former Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría. Both are summoned to testify on Monday, April 26, 2026.
The Kitchen case is linked to the investigation of alleged illegal surveillance of former PP treasurer Luis Bárcenas. This week, judges expect to obtain new details from Guillermo Bárcenas, who will be testifying as a witness for the first time. His testimony could shed light on circumstances related to police actions and possible violations during the operation.
Particular attention is focused on the participation of Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, who served as Deputy Prime Minister in Mariano Rajoy’s government. Her summons to court as a witness underscores the importance of this process and the interest in details that might have been known to the country’s top officials. According to RUSSPAIN, during this period there was increased scrutiny in Spain regarding the transparency of law enforcement activities and oversight of officials’ conduct.
Hearings in the Kitchen case have repeatedly sparked heated debates. Previously, the court heard testimony from Mariano Rajoy and María Dolores de Cospedal, which, as noted in the report on contradictions in the statements of former PP leaders, raised questions in court and did not match the investigators’ version. New interrogations may add unexpected details to the picture of events.
The National Court will continue to hear witnesses and analyze case materials in the coming weeks. The results of these hearings may influence the perception of the work of law enforcement and political accountability in Spain.
