Spanish police search Ábalos home and detain Sánchez ex-driver in Koldo case

Civil Guard officers searched José Luis Ábalos's home in Valencia on Thursday morning as part of a new secret branch of the Koldo case. Investigators also questioned his partner, Andrea de la Torre, who was inside the property when the operation began. The move follows a police report pointing to other alleged irregularities in public works contracts.

Judge Ismael Moreno of the National Court opened the separate case file on Wednesday after receiving a report from the UCO. The new branch focuses on alleged rigging in public works contracts during Ábalos's time as transport minister.

“A search and an arrest are investigative measures, not formal convictions or charges in this new piece.”

This is not the first search of the Valencia property. In June 2025, investigators spent nearly ten hours at the home and extended the proceedings to a commercial unit owned by the former minister in the same building.

Officers also requested information from Adif as part of the operation. The summary remains under secrecy, so the specific crime being investigated in this branch has not been made public.

Cristian Corvillo, Pedro Sánchez's former driver, was detained in Córdoba on Thursday. His arrest is linked to the alleged public works rigging line within the Koldo case.

The broader case now covers three open fronts: pandemic-era mask purchases, public works contracts, and alleged cash payments by the PSOE between 2017 and 2024 to reimburse advanced expenses.

Authorities stress that a search and an arrest are investigative measures, not formal convictions or charges in this new piece.