Judge Summons Ex-Chief of Staff of Spanish PM Over Mobile Phone Copy
Listen to the story
A Spanish judge has summoned the former chief of staff of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to appear in court on Tuesday.
The judge wants to clone the man's mobile phone, meaning to make a complete digital copy of its contents.
The hearing will take place at the National Court, a special court in Madrid that handles serious cases.
According to the judge, the former official had a "preeminent participation" in the matter under investigation, though the summary does not give further details.
The man went to the National Court today to try to stop the phone copy from happening.
He wants the judge to annul, or cancel, the order allowing the data to be copied.
Separately, messages have come out between Leire Díez and a former adviser to Sánchez.
The messages were sent after Sánchez took a five-day break from his duties as prime minister.
In the messages, the two people discuss helping a man. One writes, "This man must be helped. He deserves it."
It is not clear from the summary who this man is or why he needs help.
The case appears to be linked to a wider investigation involving people close to the Spanish government.
No further details have been given about the exact charges or the full content of the messages.
Vocabulary8 words
- chief of staff
- a top official who manages a leader's office
- clone
- to make an exact copy of digital data
- National Court
- a high-level Spanish court for serious cases
- preeminent
- very important; more than others
- annul
- to officially cancel a decision
- adviser
- someone who gives official guidance
- summon
- to officially call someone to appear
- investigation
- an official check to find facts
Quiz
Answer key
1. To clone his mobile phone 2. Annul the order to copy his phone 3. After Sánchez's five-day break
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A Spanish judge has _____ the former chief of staff of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to appear in court on Tuesday.
The judge wants to _____ the man's mobile phone, meaning to make a complete digital copy of its contents.
The hearing will take place at the _____, a special court in Madrid that handles serious cases.
According to the judge, the former official had a "_____" participation in the matter under investigation.
He wants the judge to _____, or cancel, the order allowing the data to be copied.
Separately, messages have come out between Leire Díez and a former _____ to Sánchez.
The messages were sent after Sánchez took a five-day break from his _____ as prime minister.
In the messages, the two people discuss helping a man.
It is not clear from the summary who this man is or why he needs _____.
The case appears to be linked to a wider _____ involving people close to the Spanish government.