FLASH
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The shadow of scandals continues to hang over the Spanish Prime Minister's Government after the decision to arrest Santos Cerdan, the former organizational secretary of the ruling PSOE party and Pedro Sanchez's right-hand man.
The judiciary is investigating corruption allegations that have put unprecedented pressure on the country's center-left government.
Therdan resigned earlier this month after a judge found "irrefutable evidence" of his possible involvement in bribes for public construction contracts.
Cerdan's alleged criminal activities, the latest in a series of corruption allegations against the Spanish prime minister's inner circle, prompted Sanchez to demand his resignation and apologize to voters, but rejected calls for early general elections.
On Monday, Therdan appeared in the High Court to testify on charges, which he denies, of bribery, influence peddling and criminal organization. After testifying, he was remanded in custody without bail.
The investigation began after the anti-corruption unit of the Guardia Civil police force handed over material to the court suggesting that Cerdan had discussed taking bribes for public contracts with the former PSOE transport minister, José Luis Ábalos, and one of the minister's aides, Koldo García. The latter two are also under investigation and deny any wrongdoing.
Sanchez, who became prime minister in 2018, is already facing corruption investigations against his wife and brother, who deny the charges. A former PSOE member was recently involved in an alleged smear campaign against the Guardia Civil police unit investigating corruption allegations.
Speaking after the judge's decision, the prime minister said: "We acted decisively and it is now up to the judicial authorities to determine Mr. Therdan's responsibility."
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