In a significant legal development, Santos Cerdán, the former Organisation Secretary of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), has been remanded in custody without bail by a judge from the Supreme Court. The judge, Leopoldo Puente, has raised serious concerns regarding the potential destruction of evidence related to allegations of involvement in a bribery scheme linked to public contracts. This decision follows requests by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor and popular accusations that highlighted the need for stringent measures against Cerdán.

The court’s findings include claims that Cerdán allegedly demanded funds from construction companies favoured in public contract allocations. The evidence suggests he maintained a hierarchical relationship with former ministers José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García, with indications that Cerdán was central to the operation that benefited various parties. Despite these allegations, Cerdán has labelled the charges as politically motivated, insisting that he has not engaged in any wrongdoing.

During his initial court appearance, Cerdán proclaimed his innocence and stated he was a victim of political persecution, particularly related to his influential negotiating role within the socialist party. Yet, the judge has affirmed that the evidence collected warrants caution, noting the significant sums involved in the alleged malfeasance. Cerdán’s legal team plans to present expert evidence to contest the prosecution’s claims, arguing that critical audio evidence has been taken out of context.

Amidst this unfolding legal situation, the PSOE leader, Pedro Sánchez, has echoed calls for justice and stressed the party’s commitment to accountability, contrasting their approach with that of other political entities. With the case generating substantial public interest, the implications for the PSOE and Cerdán’s political future remain closely watched as investigations continue.