Officers have been present at the party’s headquarters since early this morning due to a subpoena relating to payments made to Leire Díez.

Members of the Spanish Civil Guard’s Central Operative Unit (UCO) entered the national headquarters of Spain’s ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) on Wednesday to obtain documents connected to a sealed segment of the Leire Díez investigation. Díez, the party’s former coordinator, is currently under scrutiny for influence peddling.

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The Civil Guard has maintained a presence at the Ferraz street site since early morning, undertaking an operation targeting a confidential part of the case, which reportedly involves Vicente Fernández, the former head of the State Company for Industrial Investments (SEPI), a public investment entity. Both Díez and Fernández were arrested by UCO in December.

The inquiry also includes a search of the residence of PSOE’s Gaspar Zarrías, who played a central role in the decision to hire Díez.

The judge aims to clarify whether Díez acted independently or under directives from her party or government authorities.

On Wednesday, PSOE issued a statement confirming receipt of a «documentation request from Court No. 5 of the National High Court, linked to proceedings classified as confidential and unrelated to illegal financing.»

«Naturally, this request — strictly for documentation, not a search — has been fully fulfilled with cooperation from the party,» the statement added. «PSOE remains committed to full collaboration with the justice system and utmost respect for judicial procedures.»

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the opposition leader, commented on the case upon arriving at Congress, stating: «Its extreme seriousness speaks for itself».

This development follows a search last week at the offices of former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, related to the Plus Ultra corruption investigation.