The National Court resumes the Kitchen case, focusing on alleged illegal surveillance of Luis Bárcenas. Two central figures, an ex-government adviser and Bárcenas’ former driver, are set to testify. The prosecution seeks lengthy prison terms.
The National Court in Madrid has resumed hearings in the high-profile Kitchen case, a judicial process examining alleged illegal surveillance of former Partido Popular treasurer Luis Bárcenas between 2013 and 2015. This week’s session brings two key defendants to the stand: Andrés Gómez Gordo, a police inspector who previously served as an adviser to María Dolores de Cospedal’s government in Castilla-La Mancha, and Sergio Ríos, the former driver of Bárcenas.
Presided over by Judge Teresa Palacios, the trial targets senior officials from the Interior Ministry during Mariano Rajoy’s first term as prime minister. The proceedings, ongoing since April, have already seen testimony from ex-minister Jorge Fernández Díaz and four other accused. Five more, including Gómez Gordo and Ríos, are still due to testify.
Gómez Gordo, who held the post of Director General of Documentation and Analysis in Castilla-La Mancha under Cospedal—then also secretary general of the Partido Popular—later joined the National Police’s Deputy Operational Directorate. Prosecutors allege he played a central role in monitoring Bárcenas’ driver, who was allegedly recruited as an informant by the operation’s organizers. The prosecution is seeking a 15-year prison sentence for Gómez Gordo, arguing he was responsible for both overseeing and paying the driver with state funds reserved for confidential operations.
Sergio Ríos, the former driver, is also expected to testify during this session. According to the investigation, Ríos received up to €54,000 from these reserved funds in exchange for his cooperation. He later secured a position in the National Police through a competitive exam, but is currently suspended from duty and pay. The prosecution is demanding 12 and a half years in prison for Ríos and has asked the court to annul his police appointment, suspecting it may have been a reward for his involvement in the operation.
The Kitchen case has drawn significant attention due to its implications for political accountability and the use of public resources for covert operations. The trial’s outcome could set important precedents for how Spain addresses alleged abuses of power within law enforcement and government ranks. The National Court’s investigation is part of a broader judicial effort to clarify the extent of illegal surveillance and misuse of confidential funds during the period in question. The case also highlights the ongoing scrutiny of political and police conduct in Spain’s recent history, particularly regarding the intersection of party interests and state institutions.
For context, the National Court (Audiencia Nacional) is Spain’s top criminal court for major corruption and terrorism cases. The Kitchen operation is one of several high-profile scandals involving the Partido Popular in the past decade, reflecting broader concerns about transparency and oversight in Spanish politics. The trial’s progress is closely watched by legal experts and the public alike, as it may influence future reforms in the management of state security and confidential expenditures.
