Mariano Rajoy and María Dolores de Cospedal testified in the Kitchen case trial at the Audiencia Nacional, defending the legality of the police operation against Luis Bárcenas. Their accounts clash with agents' testimonies and summary evidence. The trial, in its third week, continues with more statements.
The Kitchen case trial, prosecuting a 2013 parapolice operation to spy on Luis Bárcenas, has entered its third week at the Audiencia Nacional. Nearly 50 witnesses have testified, including former treasurer Bárcenas, Rajoy—former prime minister and PP leader—and Cospedal, ex-party secretary general.
Rajoy backed main defendant Jorge Fernández Díaz, stating: “I am convinced that police operation complied with the law.” He denied recalling a 2012 SMS to Bárcenas—“Luis, nothing is easy, but we do what we can. Cheer up”—despite admitting it in the 2017 Gürtel trial. He also rejected a recording of him destroying PP's secret accounting documents.
Cospedal admitted “eight or nine” meetings with José Manuel Villarejo but denied assignments or phone calls. This contradicts audios where she asks him to “stop Bárcenas's little notebook” and a 2013 police report on a call.
UCAO and UAI agents confirmed surveillance of Bárcenas's family and video without informing UDEF, which was legally investigating his funds. Witnesses like Ignacio Cosidó and chief inspectors expressed surprise at the lack of judicial coordination. The summary includes unauthorized device cloning and notes on Rajoy audios.
The trial resumes Monday with Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría and Javier Arenas, and Wednesday with Manuel Morocho.
