Spain: Justice closes in on the socialist government of Pedro Sanchez and imprisons one of his main collaborators

The corruption investigation continues to shake the Socialist government of Pedro Sanchez in Spain. The former number three of the Socialist Party (PSOE) and president's right-hand man was placed in provisional custody on Monday as part of an ongoing corruption probe.

"The judge of the Supreme Court has ordered the unconditional imprisonment without bail for the former secretary of Organization of the PSOE, Santos Cerdán," who is suspected of the crimes of "belonging to criminal organization, bribery and money laundering," the sources told AFP.

According to the information, the judge acted at the request of the anti-corruption prosecutor, who requested the measure due to the potential of flight risk and destruction of evidence.

A police report known two weeks ago found "consistent indications" that Cerdán would be part of a scheme that received money in exchange for irregular public works concessions.

This case is a hard blow for Pedro Sánchez, with the opposition now calling for his resignation, as it also involves the former minister and former also right-hand man of the Socialist leader, José Luis Ábalos, and a close advisor of the latter, Koldo García.

"The Socialist Party acted forcefully from the first moment and removed Cerdán from the Socialist Party, and now it is time for justice, and it is justice who has to decide exactly what its responsibilities are," Sánchez said at a press conference in Seville after learning of the prison order.

“Full cooperation, and of course, respect for the justice system and its work,” Sánchez added.