Spain's Interior Minister accused of pressuring UCO in Leire corruption probe

Prosecutors in the Leire Díez corruption investigation allege that the Interior Ministry, through Minister Fernando Grande‑Marlaska, used three reserved information reports (IR) to pressure the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Guardia Civil. The reports, opened in December 2024, May 2025 and September 2025, are cited as possible tools of intimidation aimed at obstructing the inquiry. Prosecutors Elisa Lamelas and Mar Schgarfhausen argue that the repeated use of IR could constitute a criminal offense of continued prevarication and obstruction of justice.

Minister Marlaska has rejected the accusations, stating that the IRs were routine internal procedures and that “none of those reserved informations had the character of pressure.” He emphasized that the Guardia Civil regularly opens such reports for disciplinary evaluation. The dispute has been raised in the Senate, where opposition parties questioned the minister and the Guardia Civil’s top leadership, including Director General Mercedes González and Deputy Operational Director Manuel Llamas. The case now awaits a decision by the National Court on whether the use of IRs amounts to illegal intimidation.