Spanish prosecutors seek 15-year prison term for ex-interior minister for spying on former treasurer

Spain's anti-corruption prosecutors on Friday asked 15 years in prison for former Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz and his number two for the alleged parapolice espionage on the former treasurer of then ruling Popular Party.

Diaz and Francisco Martinez, former secretary of state for security, are the alleged leaders of Operation Kitchen – a police operation mounted to spy without judicial control on Luis Barcenas, Spanish daily El Pais reported.

The two names are being accused of the crimes of concealment, embezzlement and against privacy.

The same prison term is requested for then number two of the National Police, Eugenio Pino.

For retired commissioner Jose Manuel Villarejo, the request for a penalty amounts to 19 years in prison.

According to the National Court, Fernandez allegedly "urged" in 2013 to launch Operation Kitchen, which was "coordinated" with Martinez and Pino.

Source: Anadolu Agency