Judge Santiago Pedraz of Spain’s National Court has dismissed a request from the Partido Popular (PP) to suspend the command authority of Mercedes González, director general of the Guardia Civil, and Lieutenant General Manuel Llamas, the force’s deputy operational director. Both are under investigation in the broader Leire Díez case, which concerns alleged efforts to obstruct or discredit investigations by the Guardia Civil’s Unidad Central Operativa (UCO), including inquiries with potential implications for PSOE figures and associates of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Their status as people under investigation does not constitute a finding of criminal liability.
The PP, acting as a popular prosecution in the case, sought restrictions on González and Llamas while the investigation continues. It argued their command positions could put UCO-related proceedings at risk, pointing to their influence over assignments and evaluations, as well as their role in disciplinary procedures and internal inquiries involving agents. The party also raised the possibility of reprisals against witnesses and investigators. Pedraz rejected the requested precautionary measures.
The dispute turns on the distinction between the Guardia Civil’s administrative chain of command and the UCO’s work as a judicial-police unit. In investigations conducted under judicial direction, the UCO’s operational reporting line runs through the investigating court. Pedraz instructed the unit to alert the court if its work is “disturbed” or compromised. The ruling relies on existing safeguards governing judicial-police investigations, rather than imposing the additional restrictions sought by the PP.
The PP had also asked that González and Llamas be prevented from initiating or handling internal investigations involving UCO agents and from accessing case-related information. The request followed allegations concerning the handling of confidential internal inquiries within the Guardia Civil. Those allegations form part of the investigation; the reported proceedings have not established that either official interfered with an inquiry. Nor have they established retaliation against agents or disclosure of protected information.
In a written account concerning internal investigations, Llamas said González had not been informed about three inquiries involving other Guardia Civil units because she had not been involved in their origin and had no prior knowledge of their development. Pedraz had sought clarification about which reserved investigations were communicated to González when opened and concluded. The account distinguished those inquiries from investigations involving the UCO. Llamas appeared as an investigated person on 16 July.
González and Llamas remain in their leadership positions while the investigation continues. The ruling does not close the proceedings or decide whether the allegations are proven; it leaves the UCO’s investigative work under judicial oversight, with the court as the channel for reporting any alleged interference.
Pedraz has also addressed the status of a parallel investigation led by Madrid judge Arturo Zamarriego, who is examining activities linked to Leire Díez. Zamarriego has yet to decide whether to transfer his case to the National Court, pending an expert report. Pedraz has notified the Madrid court that if no decision is made by early September, he will seek a ruling from the Supreme Court on which court should proceed. The proceedings before the two judges are distinct and should not be treated as a single case.
Pedraz has postponed any summons for Leire Díez. The judge also postponed summonses for Vicente Fernández Guerrero, former president of the Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales (Sepi), and Juan Manuel Serrano, former head of Correos and former chief of staff to Pedro Sánchez. He cited the need to review evidence and await the extraction of data from Serrano’s mobile phone, scheduled for August 18. Testimony from former Correos executives José Luis Pérez Pastor and Patricia Álvarez Sánchez is also on hold pending further analysis of their roles in Díez’s hiring.
The broader investigation has continued with further investigative steps, including requests for PSOE documentation concerning legal and consultancy contracts. Rebeca Torró, the party’s secretary of organization, said the PSOE had communicated its objections and needed time to determine how to provide the requested information without infringing Fundamental Rights. Separate reporting has described inquiries into professional engagement documents involving PSOE official Ana María Fuentes and Díez. Those documents also involve former party organizational secretary Santos Cerdán.
Previous testimony in the National Court has highlighted internal PSOE practices, including the approval of Leire Díez’s expenses and access by Santos Cerdán, an episode covered in recent reporting on internal PSOE procedures.
The case has drawn attention because of its potential implications for government figures and the independence of police investigations. Its outcome could influence future protocols for police oversight and the separation of administrative and judicial functions within Spain’s law-enforcement agencies, as the proceedings examine allegations of pressure on investigators and the handling of sensitive inquiries.
