Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles refuses to suspend Guardia Civil DAO Manuel Llamas

Defence Minister Margarita Robles has rejected a request by the political group Iustitia Europa to suspend Lieutenant General Manuel Llamas, the Director‑Adjunct‑Operative (DAO) of the Guardia Civil, citing a lack of sufficient evidential basis. The minister’s decision, formalised in a Ministry of Defence resolution, states that there are "se carece de elementos de juicio suficientes" to open a disciplinary file or remove Llamas from his post at this stage.

The resolution notes that while the defence minister can separate armed‑service members for very serious offences, no judicial documentation has been forwarded, and the principle of criminal jurisdiction supremacy applies. It also remarks that the petitioning party does not have active legal standing. The matter ties into a wider investigation by the Audiencia Nacional, where Judge Santiago Pedraz has named Llamas and Guardia Civil director‑general Mercedes González as suspects in the so‑called “Leire” case, facing allegations of prevarication and obstruction of justice related to alleged leaks within the UCO.

Robles indicated that appropriate administrative measures will be taken automatically as the investigation progresses, and the resolution is not subject to administrative or judicial appeal.