Santiago Pedraz

Santiago Pedraz is a magistrate instructor at the Audiencia Nacional, a high court in Spain. He is currently newsworthy due to his involvement in several high-profile cases. Recently, he archived the investigation into Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt, owner of Hawkers, who was suspected of money laundering related to the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, concluding that no crime was proven. Pedraz also archived the 'caso ambulancias,' an investigation into alleged irregularities in a public tender for healthcare transport services in Catalonia. However, Pedraz is also overseeing an investigation into alleged police maneuvers against Miguel Urbán, a former MEP from Podemos, as part of a 'dirty war' against the political party. The Audiencia Nacional has granted Urbán victim status in this investigation. Pedraz's actions in these cases highlight the ongoing scrutiny of alleged corruption and political maneuvering within Spain.