Santos Cerdán's Plea for Innocence Amidst Corruption Allegations

Santos Cerdán, the former secretary of the PSOE Organization, remains incarcerated in Soto del Real as his pleas for parole have been denied. Today marks 35 days in the penitentiary, as the authorities present strong allegations linking him to a corruption scandal involving kickbacks for dubious public works contracts. Despite his circumstances, Cerdán has managed to communicate his perspective through a recent exclusive interview with La Vanguardia, where he emphasized his innocence. In a questionnaire returned through his lawyers, Cerdán contended, "I am innocent and have not done anything that the UCO says." He expressed feelings of defenselessness as the sole individual implicated in the alleged scheme while being confined. While in prison, Cerdán attempts to keep his spirits up through exercise and other activities in the yard, although he laments how the media's portrayal of him affects both his personal image and that of the party and the government. Cerdán expressed a desire for a prompt conclusion to his case to prove his innocence, stating, "I need to be mentally strong. I want the instruction to end and prove my innocence." He also conveyed concerns over his long-term incarceration; his appeals for release have faced rejection. When discussing his former association with Koldo García, Cerdán reiterated information previously disclosed, asserting he joined the Socialist Party of Navarre to assist in its security team and never worked officially for the PSN. He defended his connections with State Security Forces, attributing his familiarity with the Civil Guard's anti-terrorism units to his background as a bodyguard. Cerdán noted that he had no foreknowledge of García's recording conversations, which have become integral to the ongoing investigations. He described such behavior as suspicious but refrained from further commentary on it. Addressing journalists' queries about audio recordings implicating him in financial exchanges, Cerdán adamantly denied any wrongdoing by saying, "No, and we do not recognize these audios." He categorized all allegations of receiving illicit benefits from public works concessions as unfounded, underscoring that he lacked the authority to influence such decisions. Even the Supreme Court's framing of his role in the case did not sway his stance, as he insisted, "No preeminence over Koldo. The Navarre scheme is nonexistent." Regarding the Socialist Party's activities, he stated he was unaware of any illegal funding and distanced himself from discussions about his ties with party leadership. When it came to the actions of his predecessor, former Minister José Luis Ábalos, Cerdán preferred not to comment, insisting that his initial proposal to engage García was solely for the role of a driver. Evidently, Cerdán feels he is a victim of political harassment, attributing it to his previous position as the main Socialist negotiator for securing parliamentary majorities. He explained his involvement with key firms in the alleged scheme was minimal and based on discussions that never progressed beyond the initial stages. Through the interview, Cerdán highlighted the significant damage his situation has inflicted on the Socialist Party and on himself personally. He lamented, "If I had not been the secretary of organization, I would not have found myself in this situation." Furthermore, he expressed a desire for peace and closure, stating, "If everything is clarified, I want to live peacefully with my family, turn the page, and never return to politics." Despite pinning his hopes on proving his innocence, Cerdán refrained from making assertions about the government's position, noting only that he holds confidence in his personal truth. As pressure mounts around him, Cerdán's ability to navigate this political storm will be under intense scrutiny. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2