Guardia Civil Director Claims Victim Status in 'Leire Díez Case,' Implicates PSOE Official

Mercedes González, the director general of the Guardia Civil, appeared before Judge Santiago Pedraz, asserting her status as a victim in the 'Leire Díez case.' She implicated Santos Cerdán, former Organization Secretary of the PSOE, and Leire Díez, a former socialist militant, in an alleged scheme.

Sources present during the interrogation at the Audiencia Nacional confirmed that González, appearing as an investigated party, vehemently denied any involvement in "cloacas" or attempts to hinder sensitive judicial processes concerning the party, the government, or President Pedro Sánchez's circle. Regarding her encounters with Díez, González minimized their significance, stating she would not have met with her had she known Díez represented Cerdán.

This testimony follows González's prior appearance at the Audiencia Nacional, which was postponed. The judge had previously authorized the investigation of González and the summons of the deputy operational director (DAO) of the Guardia Civil, Manuel Llamas. Llamas also denied pressuring the UCO (Central Operational Unit) to "stand aside" in judicial cases affecting the PSOE and the government.

The investigation, initiated by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, focuses on alleged prevarication and obstruction of justice. The UCO's suspicions were reportedly amplified by findings that González and Llamas activated internal investigations into potential information leaks. Investigators believe Díez's alleged scheme aimed to use these internal probes as leverage to intimidate officials involved in investigations touching upon the PSOE and the government, leveraging her prior relationship with González.