Police in Madrid seized documents from the headquarters of Spain’s ruling Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) on Wednesday, as part of a broader investigation into alleged illegal financing, embezzlement and money laundering. the raid followed a similar operaion at the home of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and comes amid accusations of judicial persecution and mass protests demanding Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s resignation.

PSOE HQ raid follows Zapatero home operation

According to the report, specialist police officers entered the PSOE offices in Madrid on Wednesday to seize documents after a National High Court judge ordered the action to gather evidence of a possible illegal financing scheme. The raid closely mirrors the earlier operation at Zapatero’s residence, where police are probing alleged kickbacks and money laundering linked to a state‑bailout of an airline during the pandemic.

Allegations target senior party members and former fixer Leire Díez

The investigations target allegations of embezzlement, influence peddling, irregular campaign financing and money laundering involving senior party members. A subpoena related to PSOE’s former fixer, Leire Díez, concerns alleged irregular payments. Díez, among five prominent members named, denied any wrongdoing, claiming the probe is part of a persistent campaign of “fake news” and judicial activism aimed at destabilising the government.

PSOE claims full cooperation with court request

In a statement, the PSOE said it had received a request for documentation from the court and was fully cooperating, framing the event as a routine judicial request rather than a search. the party’s spokesperson highlighted its willingness to comply with judicial procedures while criticizing what it calls a law‑fare campaign orchestrated by the judiciary and conservative media.

Public outrage fuels protests demanding Sánchez’s resignation

The accumulating scandals have sparked public outrage, leading thousands to march in Madrid demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.. populist‑right VOX leader Santiago Abascal addressed the crowd, denouncing the government as being “kidnapped by a corrupt mafia” and asserting that scarcely anyone in Sánchez’s entourage remains free from serious criminal accusations.