Spanish Civil Guard agents executed a search warrant at the Madrid headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) on the morning of Wednesday, May 27, amid an ongoing corruption investigation.
Operation at PSOE Headquarters
Agents from the Civil Guard’s Central Operational Unit entered the PSOE offices in Madrid on Wednesday morning. A spokesperson for the Civil Guard confirmed the raid to Reuters but declined to provide further details, citing the secrecy of the ongoing judicial proceedings.
PSOE spokesperson Montse Minguez stated via Radio Catalunya that party leadership is cooperating fully with investigators and will provide all requested documentation. According to EFE, the inquiry focuses on payments made to former party member Leire Diez.
Defraudation and Influence Peddling Allegations
The investigation involves former SEPI state industrial holding president Vicente Fernandez and businessman Antxona Alonso, who is accused of colluding with former PSOE secretary Santos Cerdan regarding public procurement kickbacks.
Diez, Fernandez, and Alonso were arrested in December 2025 on charges including fraud, influence peddling, and membership in a criminal organization. Authorities allege they operated a group known as “Hirurok,” which manipulated public administration processes to secure financial commissions.
Broader Political Scandals
The administration of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is currently facing a series of corruption controversies. Last week, a court ruled that former socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a close ally of Sanchez, is under investigation regarding a suspected influence-peddling and money laundering network.