Jose Manuel Serrano Quintana, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, appeared at Spain's Audiencia Nacional court today seeking to annul phone data.
Serrano, who is an official suspect in an investigation into alleged political maneuvering known as the PSOE sewers case, asked Investigating Magistrate Santiago Pedraz to invalidate or repeat the cloning of his mobile phone.
The Audiencia Nacional is Spain's high court in Madrid, responsible for investigating major financial crimes, political corruption, and national security matters.
Phone Seizure and Defense Claims
Guardia Civil officers from the Central Operative Unit (UCO) intercepted Serrano on May 27 near Ponzano Street in Madrid. The UCO is the specialized criminal investigation branch of Spain's Civil Guard.
Officers read Serrano his rights and requested the surrender of his iPhone 15, along with its PIN and numerical access code. Investigators informed Serrano at the scene that he was under investigation, though they did not arrest him.
In a formal legal submission to Magistrate Santiago Pedraz, Serrano's defense lawyer stated that officers seized the device without an express judicial authorization. The defense also argued that the court had not instructed investigators to notify Serrano of his official legal status in the case.
Unattended Mobile Data Extraction
Serrano was formally named as a suspect in the judicial proceeding on July 10. Law enforcement officers subsequently cloned the contents of his phone on July 14 and July 15.
Neither Serrano nor his attorney was present during the two-day extraction. Serrano's legal defense described the procedure as a direct violation of the mandatory presence condition set by the magistrate in his court order. Judicial police attributed the absence of Serrano and his lawyer to an error.
Magistrate Pedraz will verify the copied data and inspect the identification number of the mobile device. The judge will then determine whether to admit the cloned files into the official court record or order a new extraction conducted inside the court in the presence of the suspect and his attorney.
Sources familiar with the case told LA RAZÓN that the magistrate is evaluating written arguments submitted by Serrano's legal team on July 31. The defense requested the immediate return of the iPhone 15, which remains stored at the court, and argued that a subsequent judicial review cannot validate an extraction that was flawed from the start.
Serrano's defense asked alternatively that if the court orders a new extraction, it must occur only after a hearing to determine the necessity and proportionality of the measure.
Scope of the PSOE Political Investigation
The court ordered the mobile phone examination to determine Serrano's role in an alleged network accused of attempting to destabilize police and judicial inquiries affecting the Socialist Party. Pedro Sanchez has served as Prime Minister of Spain and leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) since 2018.
Investigators are analyzing conversations Serrano may have conducted with other public officials. UCO reports assigned Serrano a preeminent role in the operation, alleging the network was led by Santos Cerdan with assistance from former party activist Leire Diez.
The investigation focuses on activities aimed at protecting individuals connected to the party headquarters on Ferraz Street in Madrid and the personal circle of the prime minister.
Correos Contracts and Diversion of Funds
Serrano previously served as the president of Correos, Spain's state-owned national postal service. Investigators are examining allegations that he arranged the improper hiring of Diez at the postal agency to manipulate public procurements.
The UCO reported that these hiring arrangements were intended to secure business advantages involving companies under the State Holding Company for Industrial Participations (SEPI).
In addition, UCO findings indicate that Diez and Serrano diverted funds from Correos to a private law firm. The broader judicial inquiry into the political network is also examining alleged bid-rigging linked to industrial investment subsidies.
