Judge Pedraz finds no evidence of diverted EU funds in Leire Díez case

Santiago Pedraz, the judge of the Audiencia Nacional investigating the 'Leire case', has informed the European Public Prosecutor's Office that there is currently no evidence of any impact on the financial interests of the European Union.

The investigation concerns a suspected network allegedly led by former socialist member Leire Díez and coordinated with former PSOE Organization Secretary Santos Cerdán. The group is suspected of attempting to destabilize judicial proceedings affecting the PSOE.

The European Prosecutor's Office had requested information from the Civil Guard's Central Operative Unit (UCO) following a private citizen's complaint. The complaint questioned whether funds used by the PSOE for the 2024 European elections might have been diverted to activities linked to the alleged network, specifically citing a 20,000 euro payment to the digital media outlet 'Crónica Libre', which is linked to Díez.

The PSOE has denied being a party to the facts under investigation, stating that electoral expenses are overseen by the Court of Auditors and financed through the State General Budgets.