Junts Demands Congress Release 'Operació Catalunya' Documents After Villarejo Testimony

Junts MPs have renewed their call on Spain's Congress to compel several Spanish administrations to release key documents related to the 'Operació Catalunya' and its Andorran offshoot, citing fresh testimony from retired police commissioner José Manuel Villarejo.

The demand, tabled by deputies Míriam Nogueras and Josep Pagès, highlights Villarejo's recent appearance before Andorra's Batllia as part of the ongoing 'cas Rajoy' investigation at the Seu de la Justícia. There, Villarejo stated that the intervention in Banco Madrid and its parent company was orchestrated by former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy and his government. He also confirmed the authenticity of his intelligence notes and emails incorporated into the Andorran case file.

Among the requested materials is a pivotal report allegedly supplied to the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by Civil Guard commander Basilio Sánchez Portillo. This document is said to have underpinned the 'notice' that enabled the intervention in Andorra's Banca Privada d'Andorra (BPA). Sánchez Portillo himself acknowledged providing it during a Tele5 report.

The MPs' broad petition seeks all reports from Spanish National Police analysis groups on 'Operació Catalunya' or 'Operació Barna'. It also demands documents from Spain's anti-money laundering body, Sepblac, concerning exchanges with US agencies including FinCEN, the FBI, and the DEA. Further requests cover Sepblac emails with keywords linked to Andorra, plus communications from a former Spanish Treasury official who also served as Secretary of State for the Economy.

Junts argues that state secrecy does not apply to these items, invoking relevant regulations. The party notes this follows two prior requests via Congress's parliamentary commission probing 'Operació Catalunya', the 'patriotic police', and figures like former Interior Minister Jorge Fernández Díaz.

Villarejo's statements are seen as providing fresh legal and factual grounds to access the expanded list, much of which pertains directly to Andorra and BPA's intervention. Congress has yet to respond.