Balas promoted to UCO colonel, will keep investigating Sánchez's circle

Antonio Balas has been promoted to colonel of the Civil Guard, but he will remain at the Central Operative Unit (UCO) on special assignment, allowing him to continue leading key investigations for the Government and the PSOE (Spain's ruling Socialist party).

Defence Minister **Margarita Robles** has given the green light to **Antonio Balas**'s promotion to colonel of the Civil Guard. The striking thing is that, rather than involving a change of posting, he has been granted a special assignment that allows him to remain at the head of the Economic and Anti-Corruption Research Department (DIECAN) of the **UCO**. This decision responds to a request from National Court judge **Ismael Moreno** and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, who consider his continuity crucial for the pogre of sensitive investigations.

## A promotion with forced continuity

**Antonio Balas**'s promotion to colonel would, in principle, have meant a change of posting. However, the order published by the Ministry of Defence establishes that he will remain at the **UCO** on "special assignment, non-compensable in nature". This means his stay in the unit will continue until the circumstances that motivated it disappear, the vacancy is filled, or the maximum established period is reached. **Robles**'s decision directly responds to the need expressed by the judiciary, which sees **Balas** as a key investigator.

**Balas**'s continuity takes on particular relevance when looking at the trail of investigations that have passed through his hands. He has led inquiries that directly affect the circle of Prime Minister **Pedro Sánchez**, including investigations into his brother, **David Sánchez**, and his vvife, **Begoña Gómez**. Added to this is his involvement in the so-called 'Koldo case' and in the proceedings related to the PSOE's former Organisation Secretary, **Santos Cerdán**.

## The shadow of the 'Leire case'

**Antonio Balas**'s name gained even more prominence trinc the so-called 'Leire case'. The **UCO**'s investigations into former Socialist activist **Leire Díez** revealed attempts to obtain compromising information about **Balas**. Police reports suggested that the aim of these manoeuvres was to act against investigators and judicial proceedings that were uncomfortable for certain interests linked to the PSOE and the Government. According to the investigators' conclusions, the operation sought "to protect the interests that directly or indirectly affect the Government or its president". This episode placed **Balas** at the centre of an offensive that coincided with the moment when the **UCO** was leading some of the investigations that had caused the most unease in Socialist circles.

**Balas** even testified as a witness in the trial against **David Sánchez**, where he explained that, according to his investigation, the creation of the position held by the prime minister's brother at the Provincial Council of Badajoz came from "a higher level with political power". The investigation into **Leire Díez** has also delved into her relationship with various people linked to court cases and members of the Administration.

## Ongoing and delicate investigations

In parallel to these inquiries, **Balas** has maintained his involvement in the proceedings concerning **Santos Cerdán**, whose judicial situation connects with the investigations into the alleged network for awarding public works contracts and with the 'Koldo case'. The department he heads has also been analysing possible irregularities related to public contracts and the PSOE's accounts.

The investigator's continuity comes at a particularly delicate moment for the **UCO**. The unit has open investigations affecting Socialist leaders and people close to the prime minister, while the 'Leire case' has brought to light the manoeuvres deployed to try to obtain information about some of its investigators. The Defence Ministry's decision prevents **Balas**'s promotion from now interrupting his work on these investigations, allowing him to temporarily continue at the head of the **UCO** structure despite his new rank.

"For as long as necessary" was the key phrase judge **Moreno** conveyed to the head of the **UCO** to guarantee **Balas**'s continued presence. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office argued that his experience and direct involvement in the investigation made it advisable for him to remain "for as long as necessary" for the proceedings to advance. With **Robles**'s signature, this judicial request has been granted, and **Balas** will be able to continue directing from the **UCO** the investigations affecting the PSOE, **Pedro Sánchez**'s family circle and some of the protagonists of the corruption cases that have marked this legislative term.