Contrary to the dismissal, the defense chief has insisted that the CNI’s actions are “always in accordance with the law and with judicial authority.”

The dismissal of the CNI’s director, Paz Esteban, coincides with public knowledge of spying on pro-independence leaders, among them Catalonia’s President Pere Aragon, and breaches in state security that made cell phone espionage possible. Pedro Sánchez and Ministers Margarita Robles and Fernando Grande-Marlasca. But on the part of the government, the official explanation for his dismissal is used in reasons to “promote” the CNI and avoids presenting it as a transfer to the independence movement. A “modernization effort”

The decision, which the government defends after taking “today” of Esteban’s departure, is explained after council of ministers by the Defense Minister, who was against this action. Not only this, he has strongly supported the former chief of intelligence services and his workers in his explanations.

“All work carried out by the CNI is always in accordance with the law and with judicial authority”, Robles explained. “Spain is a state Straight and validity. It is present in Spain and in the work of public servants. A week earlier, in an appearance at Congress, he supported the actions of the man in charge of the Secret Services. Only a few days later, the Council of Ministers sacked him.

What happened? Robles replies without clarifying doubts: “Nothing has happened. I am very proud of all public officials. I confirm myself in the work done by the 3,000 men and women who are part of the intelligence services, of which Its former director is “.

The official explanation given by Robles is that “mistakes” may have been made and that it is intended to “try to prevent those errors from happening again.” “Replacement”, because Robles speaks of “replacement” and not dismissal, is presented as “a step forward”, the beginning of a “new phase”. Not only because of the war in Ukraine, but also because of cyber attacks, as complex as we are experiencing, it’s time to give a boost.

Government sources questioned what were the “errors” made by CNI They refer to the fact that justice must reign over this, as the government has submitted a complaint to the members of the Council of Ministers for espionage. However, Esteban’s departure comes when the courts have not even taken place. “You already know what the reasons are,” respond other government sources, in a clear nod to pressure from libertarians and structures such as the ERC, a regime partner at La Moncloa, who sought to purge responsibilities.