The Ministry of Defense rules out sanctioning the deputy operational director of the Guardia Civil, Manuel Llamas, at this time, after he has been charged with alleged crimes of malfeasance and obstruction of justice in the so-called Leire case.
According to a document to which EFE has had access, the General Legal Advisor of the Ministry of Defense maintains that “it is not appropriate, in the current state of affairs, to initiate disciplinary proceedings” against Llamas.
The decision implies that Defense will not act internally for now and will await the evolution of the judicial investigation before adopting any disciplinary measure.
The argument: to avoid contradictory resolutions
The legal report recalls that the facts are already under judicial investigation. For this reason, it considers it logical to suspend any disciplinary proceedings to avoid possible contradictory rulings between the judicial and administrative routes.
The text indicates that the suspension of any potential file should proceed “in order to avoid eventual rulings of a contrary nature, both definitive and purely procedural”.
Defense, therefore, opts not to anticipate the investigation led by the Audiencia Nacional and to keep any disciplinary action in suspense until there is a clearer evolution of the procedure.
Defense leaves the door open to act later
Although it rules out opening a file at this time, the report does not completely close the disciplinary route. The document adds that the appropriate measures will be taken ex officio based on the “evolution of the procedural situation” of Llamas within the judicial proceedings in which he is being investigated.
The Ministry's position is, therefore, one of waiting. It does not sanction now, but reserves the possibility of acting if the case progresses, if the procedural circumstances change, or if the judicial authority adopts new decisions affecting the DAO of the Guardia Civil.
The resolution responds to the request filed on Friday with Defense by the party Iustitia Europa, which is part of the popular prosecution in the Leire case.
Iustitia Europa accuses Robles of “washing her hands”
After learning of the decision, Iustitia Europa has harshly criticized the Ministry of Defense and has accused the minister Margarita Robles of "washing her hands". In a statement, the party maintains that Defense has chosen not to act ex officio against the DAO of the Civil Guard, hiding behind "technicalities".
The party had requested the opening of a disciplinary proceeding after Llamas' indictment, but the Ministry's legal criterion has been not to initiate a file while the case is in the hands of the judge.
The discrepancy once again places the Leire case at the crossroads between the judicial route, administrative responsibility, and political pressure on the Civil Guard commanders.
Llamas and Mercedes González Indicted
The judge of the Audiencia Nacional, Santiago Pedraz, indicted Manuel Llamas and the director of the Civil Guard, Mercedes González, last Thursday for alleged crimes of prevarication and obstruction of justice.
Both are summoned to testify on July 16. The investigation focuses on the alleged maneuvers of former socialist militant Leire Díez to have the UCO investigated for possible leaks in cases affecting the Government and for alleged pressure on the agents in charge of those investigations.
The indictment of two Civil Guard officials has elevated the institutional dimension of the case and has opened the debate on whether internal measures should have been taken before the judicial investigation progresses.
The Leire Case Enters a Key Phase
The Defense's decision does not resolve the substance of the matter, but it marks the Government's position in this initial phase: not to open a disciplinary file while the judicial proceeding is ongoing and there are no new procedural elements.
The case now enters a key phase with the expected testimony of Llamas and González before the judge. From that moment on, the investigation may clarify whether or not there were irregular actions linked to the alleged pressure on the UCO and the attempts to investigate possible leaks.
For now, Defense maintains the criterion of legal prudence. It does not sanction the DAO, but it leaves a warning in writing: if the procedural situation changes, the Ministry may act ex officio.