The trial for Operation Kitchen has entered its final week at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid [1].

The proceedings center on allegations that the Spanish Ministry of the Interior used state resources to spy on a former political ally. The case tests the boundaries of state power and the legality of using intelligence services to obstruct corruption investigations.

Eight defendants are facing charges related to the 2013 operation [1]. The alleged espionage was ordered under the tenure of former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to target Luis Bárcenas, the former treasurer of the People's Party (PP) [1]. The prosecution has requested prison sentences of 12 years for the accused [3].

Defense lawyers have recently presented their final reports to the court [2]. During the proceedings, defendant José Fernández Díaz demanded his acquittal and said he denounced the manipulation of evidence by the "number two" [2].

There are conflicting reports regarding the prosecution's specific targets. Some sources indicate the Fiscalía requested sentences for all eight defendants [3], while other reports suggest that three individuals—Fuentes Gago, Díaz Sevillano, and Olivera—were not formally accused because no evidence of a crime was found [4].

A spokesperson for the Audiencia Nacional said the tribunal will set the sentencing date next week [1]. This marks the conclusion of a long legal battle to determine if state security apparatuses were weaponized for political gain during the 2013 period [1].

“The prosecution has requested prison sentences of 12 years for the accused.”

The verdict of the Operation Kitchen trial will establish a legal precedent regarding the accountability of high-ranking Interior Ministry officials. If the court finds that state resources were illegally deployed to silence a whistleblower and obstruct justice, it could trigger further scrutiny of administrative transparency and the use of intelligence services in Spain.