Spanish police have searched the headquarters of ruling party PSOE in connection with an investigation into possible illegal financing of the party. According to the Guardia Civil, police were ordered to collect evidence in an ongoing investigation into corruption charges against former party member Leire Díez.

Díez, who was active, among other things, as a councilor, is said to have been paid by the PSOE to discredit a member of the anti-corruption unit of the Guardia Civil. She is also said to have tried to influence the work of prosecutors. Prime Minister Sánchez’s party says it acted on its own initiative. Díez has denied the allegations.

During the search of the PSOE office in Madrid, the homes of key party members were also searched, including that of Gaspar Zarrías, who is said to have hired Díez.

The search appears to be related to a case in which a former president of a state-owned company was previously arrested. In that corruption case, several people have been charged with, among other things, abuse of power, embezzlement and organized crime.

Prime Minister Sánchez is visiting the Pope in Vatican City and responded to the searches at a press conference. He said he respects the judiciary and that his party is fully cooperating with the investigation.

The search comes a week after it was announced that Spanish justice is investigating former Prime Minister Zapatero, an important confidant of Sánchez.

Zapatero is said to be involved, among other things, in a company that earned from government support to save the airline Plus Ultra in 2021. It is being investigated whether he exerted his influence on the government support of 53 million euros for Plus Ultra. In addition, it is being investigated whether he has committed forgery.