The PSOE senator and former president of the Junta de Andalucía, Susana Díaz, warned this Friday that it would be "unsustainable" for Mercedes González to remain at the head of the Civil Guard in the event that Judge Santiago Pedraz, who has charged her in the case of the alleged plot to obstruct judicial investigations affecting the PSOE, maintains that charge after taking her statement on July 16.
Judge Pedraz sees indications of possible crimes of prevarication and obstruction of justice in the actions of both González and the Deputy Operational Director (DAO) of the Civil Guard, Manuel Llamas. The Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office and the popular prosecutions promoted by the PP had requested that both be formally charged in this proceeding.
In statements to "Cuatro", reported by Europa Press, Díaz stressed that those under investigation have the right to appear before the judge "with all guarantees" and with "respect for their presumption of innocence".
However, in her opinion, "evidently", if after the judicial appearance "that charge is not lifted because it is understood that there is evidence in the case", the current director of the Civil Guard should leave her post.
Subordinates forced to investigate their superiors
For Díaz, the institutional position held by González is "especially relevant" in this matter, since, if she continued to lead the Benemérita, it would imply that her own "subordinates" would be forced to investigate "the conduct of their senior officials".
The senator was also questioned about the continuity as a PSOE militant of former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who has already appeared before the judge investigating him for his alleged influence in the Plus Ultra rescue and remains charged.
According to Díaz, Zapatero "will have to step aside" if he does not manage to clarify the origin of the jewels found in his professional office, valued at 1.3 million euros and which would not have been declared to the Treasury.
Pending explanations about Zapatero's jewels
"I don't need a Penal Code to tell me that you shouldn't receive jewels from an Arab sheikh. Whether it's prescribed or not, if it's proven that it happened, beyond the criminal offense, it's not the behavior a socialist should have," emphasized the former Andalusian leader.
In his opinion, this case "today has more shadows than light," since the explanations that Zapatero committed to offering after being indicted have not yet materialized. Asked whether the PSOE should expel him now, Díaz avoided setting a timeline, although she insisted that the former president should provide explanations "in the coming days." "It has to be in the coming days, otherwise, this cannot go on any longer," she added.