The Audiencia Provincial de Madrid has upheld the dismissal of the case against Hazte Oír, the conservative association that displayed a large banner near the Spanish Congress labeling Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez “corrupt.” The court viewed the word as political criticism in the context in which it appeared. The dispute has focused attention on the tension between political expression and personal honor in Spain.
The incident took place on May 19, 2025, when Hazte Oír hung a banner on scaffolding facing the Congress of Deputies. It showed Sánchez alongside the Spanish word “corrupto” and references to several judicial cases, including “Caso Begoña,” “Caso Ábalos/Koldo,” “Caso PSOE,” “Caso Hermano,” “Caso Fiscal General de Pedro Sanchez” and “Caso Hidrocarburos.” The PSOE filed a complaint, and a judge ordered the banner removed as a precautionary measure. Similar messages later appeared on bridges and walkways around Madrid, while a truck circulated with the same imagery. On May 28, 2025, Hazte Oír shared footage of the phrase “Sánchez corrupto” projected onto the Congress facade.
The reported reasoning behind the ruling distinguished the word’s meaning on its own from its use in a political campaign referring to proceedings involving Sánchez’s circle. The court characterized the banner as criticism rather than an insult, and noted that the campaign did not incite violence or promote hate speech. Judge María Dolores Baeza initially dismissed the case in February 2026. The PSOE and the public prosecutor appealed, arguing that the campaign went beyond legitimate political criticism and threatened political coexistence. The prosecutor also cited a police report that was still pending when the dismissal was issued.
The dispute is part of a broader pattern of Hazte Oír’s legal activism. The association has described itself as participating as a popular prosecutor in cases involving Sánchez’s political and family circle. Separate proceedings have involved allegations against Begoña Gómez, including influence peddling and business corruption. Those matters are distinct from the banner case and do not establish that Sánchez himself was criminally charged. Another Hazte Oír-related case concerning Sofía Puente and instructions associated with Spain’s Democratic Memory Law is also separate from the banner dispute.
The case has renewed debate over the boundaries of free speech and political discourse in Spain, where the balance between expression and the right to honor is often contested. Privacy and the exposure of personal information in Spanish politics also drew attention after confidential information about José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was leaked. The leak prompted discussion of legal protections and public scrutiny, as detailed in this related report. The Madrid decision adds to debate over how courts should assess harsh political language on matters of public interest.
