Scandal in Spain, deputy director of National Police charged with raping his subordinate

Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, is again under fire, as the opposition accuses him of “completing” of a suspected rape case involving the deputy head of national police, who was forced to resign.

“We were informed of the events just yesterday”, Sanchez responded, rejecting the opposition's accusations.

The case comes at a time when many members of the Socialist prime minister's district -- both professional and friendly -- are under judicial investigation, mainly for corruption.

Several members of the Socialist Party (PSOE) also faced charges of sexual harassment late last year.

The new scandal erupted after a police officer accused José Ángel González-Jimez, 66, until yesterday deputy commander of the national police, who was appointed to this position in 2018 by the current government.

According to the description of the victim, as recorded by her lawyer, Jorge Peedrafita, after dinner at a restaurant in April 2025, the senior police officer ordered her to take her to her service headquarters, where she was later raped.

The indictment filed by the woman concerns the crimes of rape, tribulation and psychological violence, the lawyer explained.

From India, where he is on an official visit, Pedro Sánchez defended the strong “ ” reaction by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlasca, who demanded José Ángel González-Jimenese as soon as informed of the case.

“The charges are very serious”, the prime minister continued, speaking to reporters, and called for full light to be shed on events reported by the victim.

Earlier, Grande-Marlaska, Interior Minister since 2018 and a prominent figure in Spain's left government, assured that “knew nothing” until the case was discovered yesterday.

If we knew the slightest thing about such a serious case, it is understandable that we would have asked him to resign earlier”, he insisted.

However, his arguments did not convince the conservative People's Party, the largest right-wing opposition party, which called for the minister's immediate dismissal. /Panorama/ Periscopi/