The investigation into two Spanish intelligence agents accused of handing over hundreds of classified documents to the United States has concluded, moving the case closer to trial at the Provincial Court of Madrid.
The arrests in September 2023 shook the foundations of Spain’s National Intelligence Center, known as the CNI, exposing a rare breach of state security.
The primary suspect, identified in court documents as agent 7691, served as the head of the Russia area with roughly 24 personnel under his command. A 58-year-old naval commander with more than 30 years of experience in the agency, he was taken into custody alongside a second, more operationally focused colleague.
Investigators Discover Unauthorized Access to Sensitive Data
Investigators from the National Police and internal affairs discovered that the junior operative was accessing sensitive data outside his assigned jurisdiction. Internal security audits revealed that the Russia area chief was similarly reviewing unauthorized files, leading authorities to uncover a total of 288 classified files extracted from the agency.
The compromised material included names of informants in sensitive environments, internal terminology, operational details, foreign deployments, structural diagrams, and connectivity charts involving Russian individuals linked to foreign diplomatic missions. Both suspects faced initial provisional detention on charges of treason and the disclosure of secrets, though they were later released while maintaining their innocence.
Defense Lawyers Maintain Innocence Amid Historical Treason Precedent
The case marks only the second instance of alleged treason in Spain’s recent history, following the case of Roberto Flórez, the first Spanish spy sentenced for treason and the only one in the country’s history to be convicted to nine years in prison.
Defense lawyers for the two accused agents have maintained their clients’ innocence throughout the proceedings, with the lawyer for agent 7691 arguing that it is not true that the information was extracted illegally, noting that information falls into four categories — secret, reserved, confidential and limited dissemination.
The fallout from the investigation also prompted diplomatic friction, resulting in the discreet expulsion of at least two American intelligence operatives stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid after defense officials sought formal explanations.
Next Steps in the Judicial Process
With the investigative phase finalized by Madrid’s Instruction Court Number 7, the case file has been transferred to the Provincial Court of Madrid.
