Judge to Decide on Phone Data from Sánchez's Former Chief of Staff
Listen to the story
A Spanish judge must decide what to do with data taken from the phone of Pedro Sánchez's former chief of staff.
The man's phone was analysed by investigators. This process is called a data extraction, and it can reveal messages, calls and other private information.
The former chief of staff is not happy about this. Today, he went to Spain's National Court to try to have the data extraction annulled, meaning legally cancelled.
Alongside this case, WhatsApp messages have come to light. They were sent between Leire Díez and another adviser who worked for Sánchez.
The messages were sent after Sánchez took a five-day retreat, a period of time away from public duties. In one message, someone wrote: 'We must help this man. He deserves it.'
It is not fully clear from current reports exactly who is being discussed in these messages, or what kind of help was being offered.
This case is connected to the wider political situation around Sánchez's government. Investigations involving people close to the prime minister have drawn public attention in recent months.
The judge's decision on the phone data extraction is still pending. It is expected to have consequences for the ongoing investigation into people linked to Sánchez's team.
For now, both the legal process at the National Court and the meaning of the WhatsApp messages remain under scrutiny, with more details likely to emerge in the coming days.
Vocabulary10 words
- judge
- a person who decides legal cases in court
- chief of staff
- a top official who manages work for a leader
- data extraction
- the act of taking information from a device like a phone
- National Court
- a high, important court in Spain
- annulled
- made legally invalid or cancelled
- a popular messaging app
- adviser
- a person who gives guidance to someone important
- retreat
- a period spent away from normal work or public life
- pending
- not yet decided; waiting for a decision
- scrutiny
- close and careful examination
Quiz
Answer key
1. Data from a phone belonging to Sánchez's former chief of staff 2. To try to have the data extraction annulled 3. After Sánchez's five-day retreat
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A Spanish _____ must decide what to do with data taken from the phone of Pedro Sánchez's former _____.
The man's phone was analysed by investigators. This process is called a _____, and it can reveal messages, calls and other private information.
The former chief of staff is not happy about this. Today, he went to Spain's _____ to try to have the data extraction _____, meaning legally cancelled.
Alongside this case, _____ messages have come to light. They were sent between Leire Díez and another _____ who worked for Sánchez.
The messages were sent after Sánchez took a five-day _____, a period of time away from public duties.
The judge's decision on the phone data extraction is still _____.
For now, both the legal process at the National Court and the meaning of the WhatsApp messages remain under _____.