The trial regarding the transfer of personal data from the phone of former Podemos adviser Dina Bousselham has become one of the most discussed events in Spain in recent years. At the center of attention is the question of who exactly leaked confidential information to journalists, triggering a wave of distrust toward the country’s law enforcement and political institutions. The outcome of this case may reshape public opinion on the transparency of police work and the accountability of government officials.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office is convinced that former commissioner José Manuel Villarejo was the source of the data leak, which ended up in the hands of the media after he received a copy of the contents from Bousselham’s phone. Investigators believe that only Villarejo could have used his official position to access these materials and then pass them on to journalists. The indictment notes that hints about the information transfer were discovered in his personal notes, and confirms he obtained a copy of the data from Interviú staff members.
Arguments from both sides
Villarejo himself categorically denies any involvement in the leak, while his defense points out that the phone’s memory card was in the possession of Pablo Iglesias, then leader of Podemos, for an extended period. Villarejo’s lawyer argues that it was Iglesias who could have passed the materials to third parties, as he did not immediately return the card to Bousselham and failed to inform her of its whereabouts. Meanwhile, prosecutors maintain there is no alternative explanation except Villarejo’s involvement, insisting he is responsible for the disclosure of confidential information.
During the hearings, it emerged that employees of Interviú gave Villarejo a copy of the data from Bousselham’s phone on a flash drive, and during the search of the former commissioner, folders with these files were found. Nevertheless, the defense continues to assert their client’s innocence, pointing to inconsistencies in the testimonies of Bousselham and Iglesias. Notably, at the start of the trial, both journalists who transferred the data to Villarejo were forgiven by the victims, and now charges are brought only against the former commissioner.
The role of the state and the consequences
A key aspect of the case was whether the state administration should bear responsibility for Villarejo’s actions. State representatives argued that he acted solely in his personal interest, not as a police official, and therefore the state should not be liable for his actions. The prosecution, on the other hand, believes Villarejo’s position was instrumental in obtaining access to the data.
According to RUSSPAIN, the case gained widespread public attention because the publication of Bousselham’s personal correspondence and documents coincided with the period of political negotiations between PSOE and Podemos after the 2015 elections. This sparked suspicions of attempts to discredit Iglesias’s party through controlled information leaks. The case materials include not only personal messages but also internal Podemos documents, further intensifying tensions around the proceedings.
Context and political implications
The investigation revealed that after the phone’s contents were handed over to the editorial staff at Interviú, publication was blocked by management, and the memory card itself was given to Iglesias. However, the subsequent fate of the data remains unclear, fueling various theories and disputes between the parties. Prosecutors emphasize that the very act of a police officer holding the device without a court order constitutes a violation of the right to privacy.
Interestingly, the court had previously considered the possibility of holding Iglesias accountable for allegedly concealing information, but the Supreme Court refused to open a case because Bousselham did not file a complaint against him. As a result, the main focus shifted to Villarejo’s actions, who, according to prosecutors, used official connections to leak data to journalists in an effort to damage the reputation of Podemos and Iglesias personally.
Background: similar cases in Spain
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly faced high-profile cases involving the disclosure of personal data and information leaks related to politicians and public officials. For example, in 2024, there was a case involving the publication of correspondence from a government advisor, which led to the resignation of several officials. Similar processes have occurred in other EU countries, where issues of personal data protection and responsibility for data leaks are becoming increasingly relevant. According to russpain.com, such cases significantly affect public trust in government institutions and raise questions about the transparency of law enforcement agencies. You can learn more about previous court cases on this topic in the article about the proceedings against the ex-commissioner in the case of the Podemos leader’s advisor.
