Spanish judge rejects PSOE indictment in 'sewers' case for now

Spain's National Court judge Santiago Pedraz has declined to indict the Socialist Party (PSOE) in the 'Leire Díez' investigation, known as the 'sewers' case, ruling that current evidence does not meet the threshold for formal charges. The decision follows a report from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, led by Alejandro Luzón, which acknowledged indications of criminal conduct but deemed an indictment premature pending further investigative steps.

Prosecutors identified signs of offences including bribery, embezzlement, influence peddling, money laundering, and illegal financing linked to an alleged network run by former PSOE Organisation Secretary Santos Cerdán and former party member Leire Díez. However, they argued that key measures remain outstanding, notably Cerdán's testimony and documentary evidence requests.

“With what has been acted upon, the so-called 'principle of proof' to attribute investigated status is not accredited”

The Popular Party (PP), acting as a popular prosecutor, had requested the PSOE's indictment this week, arguing the party funded a 'criminal organisation' to target judges and magistrates investigating corruption cases involving Socialist officials. The PP claimed the alleged operation aimed to 'clean, without limit' legal threats against the party and its members.

Judge Pedraz agreed with prosecutors that a 'minimum objective basis' linking the party as a legal entity to the alleged crimes is still lacking. He ordered further inquiries into Cerdán's actual powers within the party, who authorised payments to Díez, internal control mechanisms, and whether the PSOE benefited from the investigated conduct.

The ruling postpones any potential indictment until after the snap general election called by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for November 29. Media outlets note this timeline complicates Sánchez's reported plan to remain party leader if he loses power, as an indicted party leadership would face intense internal and external pressure.