Former Minister Denies Knowledge of "Operation Kitchen" Amidst Trial Resumption

The Audiencia Nacional has resumed the trial of the "Operation Kitchen" case, a complex investigation into alleged parapolice activities. Former Vice President of the Government and head of the National Intelligence Center (CNI) from 2013 to 2015, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, has firmly distanced herself from the operation, stating, "I have no record of this operation during my time in government." Her testimony aims to refute any involvement or knowledge of the alleged surveillance.

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I have no record of this operation during my time in government.

Adding to the testimonies, Senator Javier Arenas, former Secretary General of the PP, has also asserted his lack of awareness regarding a crucial recording involving Luis Bárcenas. The prosecution alleges that "Operation Kitchen" was partly aimed at securing this recording, which they believed the former treasurer possessed. Arenas's statement, like Santamaría's, seeks to create a clear separation from the controversial operation and its objectives.

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I never had knowledge.

Further complicating the narrative, Guillermo 'Willy' Bárcenas, son of the former PP treasurer Luis Bárcenas and a singer in the group Taburete, provided testimony about his father's state of mind. He recounted that his father "thought his phones were tapped," suggesting a pervasive sense of surveillance that may have influenced his actions and perceptions during his time in prison. These initial testimonies set the stage for a trial that probes deep into the alleged misuse of state resources and intelligence apparatus.

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he thought his phones were tapped.

From the perspective of El País, this trial is a critical examination of accountability within Spain's political and intelligence structures. While Sáenz de Santamaría and Arenas present themselves as unaware of the operation's specifics, the ongoing proceedings seek to uncover the truth behind the alleged efforts to gather incriminating material against political figures. The testimonies, particularly concerning Bárcenas's belief about being tapped, highlight the atmosphere of suspicion and covert actions that characterized the period under investigation. This case is significant not only for the individuals involved but also for its implications regarding the integrity of democratic institutions in Spain.

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I never had any approach regarding any type of strategy on Gürtel.