Restarting Investigation Against Rajoy, Fernández Díaz, and Montoro in Andorra Regarding 'Operation Catalonia'
Early August 2025 marked the reopening of the "Operation Catalonia" investigation, a judicial probe targeting former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, his Finance Minister Cristóbal Montoro, and Interior Minister Jorge Fernández Díaz. The case, being handled by a judge in Andorra, centres on allegations of pressure exerted on the Andorran government and financial institutions to hinder Catalan independence efforts.
The reactivated investigation into Cristóbal Montoro exposes accusations of illicit influence and improper ties between public office and private consulting companies, such as Equipo Económico (formerly Montoro y Asociados), founded by Montoro's brother. The firm allegedly leveraged political connections to shape decisions favouring certain enterprises, including the gambling company Codere, which reportedly paid nearly €679,000 to Equipo Económico from 2008 to 2012. The Catalan police uncovered evidence of complex financial schemes involving shell companies across several countries used to disguise funds tied to Montoro’s circle, reportedly totaling about €12 million between 2011 and 2017.
The investigation initially began in 2017 but was stalled and mostly kept secret until 2025. It was reignited partly due to evidence gathered by the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police), who uncovered these activities during the tense political environment surrounding the Catalan independence referendum. The inquiry also involved clashes with the Civil Guard and was led by a magistrate in Tarragona known for his discretion and thoroughness.
Despite challenges posed by the rejection of an international rogatory commission and opposition from the Madrid Public Prosecutor's Office, which concluded that the complaint against Rajoy and his former ministers had a "clear political purpose," the investigation in Andorra continues. The Andorran judge has announced to supplement the 2022 rogatory commission, detailing the facts investigated and the participation of the complainants in them, "individually."
Notably, the judge has ordered the former commissioner José Manuel Villarejo and the lawyer José María Fuster Fabra to be called as witnesses on November 4. Their testimony is crucial to the investigation, as their specific roles and involvement in the case remain to be seen.
The allegations involve Jordi Pujol, Artur Mas, and Oriol Junqueras, among other Catalan politicians accused. The judge in Andorra has reactivated the case by announcing to supplement the 2022 rogatory commission, which Spanish justice rejected last year. This decision indicates a renewed effort to investigate the allegations against Rajoy and his former ministers.
The probe in Andorra is a significant development in the ongoing investigation, as it aims to address the concerns raised by the Madrid Court of Appeals regarding the lack of detail in the initial commission. The supplemented rogatory commission is expected to provide a clearer picture of the roles and actions of each complainant in the investigation.
The investigation into former Spanish Finance Minister Cristóbal Montoro's alleged financial misconduct has expanded to encompass average citizens and businesses, given Montoro's brother's firm, Equipo Económico, is accused of shaping decisions in favor of certain enterprises through improper ties with policy-and-legislation. The General News landscape is following this tense Crime-and-Justice case closely, as the supplemented rogatory commission in Andorra promises to disclose the individual roles played bykey figures, including José Manuel Villarejo and José María Fuster Fabra, in this complex political saga.
