National Court Halts Investigation into Police Operations Against Political Rivals of the PP
The National Court dismisses access to crucial audio evidence in a case examining illegal activities by Interior Ministry officials against political opponents.
The National Court of Spain has effectively stalled a significant investigation into alleged illegal activities conducted by the Interior Ministry against political opponents of the Popular Party (PP).
This inquiry was initiated two and a half years ago by Judge Manuel García Castellón, who is set to retire in 2024. The case involves numerous recordings made by former commissioner José Manuel Villarejo, which supposedly document a covert campaign conducted between 2012 and 2017 targeting adversaries of the then-government led by Mariano Rajoy, including Podemos, Catalan independence parties, and Pedro Sánchez, the then-leader of the opposition.
On March 7, 2023, Antonio Piña, the new instructor of the case, denied all parties involved access to the audio recordings that detail judicially unsupported police operations against these political opponents.
The instructor, backed by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, stated that these recordings do not pertain to the facts under investigation in any of the remitted pieces of the case, effectively halting further examination of the material.
The Socialist Party (PSOE), acting as a popular accusation in the case, has appealed this decision, arguing that the audio could potentially establish the involvement of former Prime Minister Rajoy and then-secretary general of the PP, María Dolores de Cospedal, in a illicit conspiracy.
They claim the recordings may reveal information that corroborates supposed paramilitary orders directed at Villarejo, known as Operation Cataluña. The appeal calls for the effective lifting of the case's confidentiality and urges progress in the legal procedures to avoid further unwarranted delays.
Investigations have mostly stagnated since the initial inquiry, with previous efforts by Judge García Castellón largely characterized by brief interviews of journalists and businessmen who possessed the recordings.
Notably, only one report generated from police inquiries is known to exist, identifying three audio files as relevant for another ongoing case but not advancing the investigation into the alleged activities against political adversaries.
Despite the amount of evidence gathered, no individuals have been formally charged, nor have any of the implicated police and political figures been questioned regarding their supposed conspiracies against the PP's political foes.
The available recordings allegedly reveal a diverse range of operations primarily aimed at discrediting independent leaders through fabricated evidence, targeting Podemos and its members with unfounded legal accusations, and undermining opposition leader Pedro Sánchez through scrutiny of his family's business dealings.
Specific evidence includes a November 2012 meeting where Villarejo sought information to construct allegations against Catalan independence figures shortly before regional elections, highlighting a political interest from the PP. Further conversations reveal the knowledge of PP officials about movements aimed at scandalizing prominent figures such as former Catalan presidents, as well as efforts to deflect attention from corruption allegations enveloping the government.
Villarejo's claims in recorded conversations suggest a systematic approach to discredit political opponents and manipulate public perception, engaging in dubious intelligence practices to undermine opposition parties.
Various targets included allegations against Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias and inquiries into Sánchez's father-in-law related to his business affairs.
These operations reportedly intertwine police misconduct with political strategies orchestrated at the highest levels of government, as recorded in multiple instances yet to be addressed judicially.
The case represents a complex intersection of politics and law enforcement in Spain, raising significant ethical concerns regarding the potential abuse of power within governmental institutions.
The ongoing lack of movement in the investigation will continue to be a point of scrutiny as developments unfold.
This inquiry was initiated two and a half years ago by Judge Manuel García Castellón, who is set to retire in 2024. The case involves numerous recordings made by former commissioner José Manuel Villarejo, which supposedly document a covert campaign conducted between 2012 and 2017 targeting adversaries of the then-government led by Mariano Rajoy, including Podemos, Catalan independence parties, and Pedro Sánchez, the then-leader of the opposition.
On March 7, 2023, Antonio Piña, the new instructor of the case, denied all parties involved access to the audio recordings that detail judicially unsupported police operations against these political opponents.
The instructor, backed by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, stated that these recordings do not pertain to the facts under investigation in any of the remitted pieces of the case, effectively halting further examination of the material.
The Socialist Party (PSOE), acting as a popular accusation in the case, has appealed this decision, arguing that the audio could potentially establish the involvement of former Prime Minister Rajoy and then-secretary general of the PP, María Dolores de Cospedal, in a illicit conspiracy.
They claim the recordings may reveal information that corroborates supposed paramilitary orders directed at Villarejo, known as Operation Cataluña. The appeal calls for the effective lifting of the case's confidentiality and urges progress in the legal procedures to avoid further unwarranted delays.
Investigations have mostly stagnated since the initial inquiry, with previous efforts by Judge García Castellón largely characterized by brief interviews of journalists and businessmen who possessed the recordings.
Notably, only one report generated from police inquiries is known to exist, identifying three audio files as relevant for another ongoing case but not advancing the investigation into the alleged activities against political adversaries.
Despite the amount of evidence gathered, no individuals have been formally charged, nor have any of the implicated police and political figures been questioned regarding their supposed conspiracies against the PP's political foes.
The available recordings allegedly reveal a diverse range of operations primarily aimed at discrediting independent leaders through fabricated evidence, targeting Podemos and its members with unfounded legal accusations, and undermining opposition leader Pedro Sánchez through scrutiny of his family's business dealings.
Specific evidence includes a November 2012 meeting where Villarejo sought information to construct allegations against Catalan independence figures shortly before regional elections, highlighting a political interest from the PP. Further conversations reveal the knowledge of PP officials about movements aimed at scandalizing prominent figures such as former Catalan presidents, as well as efforts to deflect attention from corruption allegations enveloping the government.
Villarejo's claims in recorded conversations suggest a systematic approach to discredit political opponents and manipulate public perception, engaging in dubious intelligence practices to undermine opposition parties.
Various targets included allegations against Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias and inquiries into Sánchez's father-in-law related to his business affairs.
These operations reportedly intertwine police misconduct with political strategies orchestrated at the highest levels of government, as recorded in multiple instances yet to be addressed judicially.
The case represents a complex intersection of politics and law enforcement in Spain, raising significant ethical concerns regarding the potential abuse of power within governmental institutions.
The ongoing lack of movement in the investigation will continue to be a point of scrutiny as developments unfold.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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