The Director General of Spain’s Guardia Civil police force, Mercedes González (main image), and the force’s Deputy Director of Operations (DAO), Manuel Llamas, have been formally placed under judicial investigation by National Court judge Santiago Pedraz over their contacts with former Socialist Party (PSOE) activist Leire Díez, in a decision that has intensified political controversy while prompting renewed calls for their resignation.
Judge Pedraz has ordered both senior officials to appear before the National Court on 16 July after anti-corruption prosecutors concluded there were indications they may have committed alleged offences of misconduct in public office and obstruction of justice.
Under Spanish law, being formally investigated (‘imputado’ or ‘investigado’) does not imply guilt and simply allows the individual concerned to answer questions and present their version of events before any decision on criminal responsibility is made.
According to Spanish media, the judge believes González may have adopted ‘an arbitrary and manifestly unjust decision contrary to the public interest’ by authorising disciplinary proceedings against senior officers of the Guardia Civil’s Central Operational Unit (UCO), which was investigating individuals close to the Spanish government, allegedly at Díez’s request.
The investigation centres on claims that Díez sought to undermine the UCO and interfere with investigations involving members of the government’s political circle. Prosecutors allege she attempted to encourage an inquiry into the elite police unit while manoeuvring to obstruct investigations affecting figures close to the executive. ALSO READ: Spanish PM denies any knowledge of suspected scheme targeting corruption probes.
Investigators believe she contacted González in pursuit of those objectives, although the Guardia Civil chief has consistently denied that such issues were ever discussed during their meetings.
According to the UCO, González and Díez met on at least three occasions between 30 September and 20 December 2024, and again on 2 April 2025. González has acknowledged holding meetings with Díez, although she previously stated there had been only two.
In a public statement, González insisted she had ‘never’ acted to undermine the UCO and rejected allegations that she had interfered in any investigation.
Appearing before a Senate hearing on 16 June (main image), she declared that she had ‘never, ever’ interfered in any UCO investigation, pressured any officer or taken part in any operation intended to derail judicial proceedings.
She also said she ended contact with Díez after the former PSOE member asked her to reinstate Commander Rubén Villalba, who is implicated in the Koldo corruption case.
The UCO nevertheless believes González was aware of Díez’s activities and suspects the former socialist activist was behind the decision to launch a confidential internal inquiry into whether the UCO had leaked WhatsApp messages exchanged between former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, later published by the newspaper El Mundo. ALSO READ: Spain’s ex-transport minister sentenced to 24 years as corruption pressure mounts on government.
Despite the judge’s decision, the government has continued to express full confidence in González and Llamas.
Both PM Sánchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska have reiterated their support, arguing that the investigation merely provides the two officials with an opportunity to give their account and does not imply wrongdoing.
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La directora de la Guardia Civil, Mercedes González y su número dos, Manuel Llamas, tendrán que acudir a declarar como investigados por los delitos de obstrucción a la justicia y prevaricación.
— Telediarios de TVE (@telediario_tve) July 2, 2026
🎙️Lo cuentan @CristinaBlach y Aitor Lourido pic.twitter.com/3tCIBmc2UX
VIDEO | El juez de la Audiencia Nacional Santiago Pedraz ha imputado a la directora general de la Guardia Civil, Mercedes González, y al Director Adjunto Operativo (DAO) del cuerpo, Manuel Llamas, en el caso Leire. pic.twitter.com/m2FI0PawWu
— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) July 2, 2026
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