Politics · Spain · 1 hr ago
Madrid judge admits complaint against justice official over nationality rule
A Madrid judge has admitted a complaint against justice official Sofía Puente over a rule she signed in 2022.
The complaint, filed by the group Hazte Oír, accuses her of abuse of office.
The rule concerned Spain’s so-called grandchildren law, which grants citizenship to descendants of people who went into exile after the Civil War.
It told consulates to presume that Spanish nationals who left the country between 1936 and 1955 were exiles, without requiring proof of why they left.
The prosecutor opposed the complaint, and Puente has not been called to testify as a suspect.
The judge will decide on requested investigative steps after Hazte Oír posts a €1,000 bond and the court considers the prosecutor’s arguments.
The Supreme Court is separately reviewing the instruction’s validity, with questions raised about the voting rights of people who gained citizenship under it.
A Madrid judge has admitted a complaint against Justice official Sofía Puente over a 2022 instruction on access to Spanish nationality under the “law of grandchildren.”
Judge Inmaculada Lova Ruiz said the allegations could indicate possible prevarication, or knowingly issuing an unjust decision.
The complaint was filed by Hazte Oír, which alleges that Puente’s instruction expanded the law beyond its terms.
The Madrid Public Prosecutor’s Office opposed admitting the complaint, arguing that another court had already examined and dismissed the case.
The judge has not yet decided whether to order the requested investigative steps, including questioning Puente.
- Who
- Justice official Sofía Puente is the subject of the complaint filed by Hazte Oír.
- What
- A Madrid judge admitted a complaint alleging possible prevarication over Puente’s 2022 instruction on nationality eligibility.
- When
- The instruction was issued in 2022; the complaint was admitted on 21 October 2026.
- Where
- Madrid, Spain.
- Why
- Hazte Oír alleges the instruction broadened the legal grounds for descendants to obtain Spanish nationality by presuming exile for people who left Spain during a specified period.
Hazte Oír
Madrid Public Prosecutor’s Office
Legal effect of the instruction
Hazte Oír
Hazte Oír says the instruction changed the legal conditions for acquiring nationality and did not merely interpret the law.
Madrid Public Prosecutor’s Office
The prosecution opposed admitting the complaint, arguing that another court had already examined and dismissed the case.
Basis for investigation
Hazte Oír
Hazte Oír alleges that Puente’s instruction could amount to prevarication and affect the electoral register and voting rights.
Madrid Public Prosecutor’s Office
The prosecution sought to have the complaint rejected.
Puente issued the instruction while she was director general of Legal Security and Public Faith.
Judge Inmaculada Lova Ruiz admitted Hazte Oír’s complaint against Puente.
The judge deferred deciding on requested investigative steps pending a €1,000 bond from the association and consideration of the prosecution’s arguments.
- Defendant
- Sofía Puente
- Court
- Madrid Court of Instruction No. 35
- Judge
- Inmaculada Lova Ruiz
- Complaint filed by
- Hazte Oír
- Instruction period
- 18 July 1936 to 31 December 1955
- Bond requested
- €1,000
4 sources
Una juez admite una querella contra la hermana de Óscar Puente por la instrucción de la 'ley de nietos'
Un juzgado de Madrid admite a trámite una querella contra Sofía Puente por prevaricación con la 'ley de nietos'
La juez admite a trámite la querella contra Sofía Puente por su instrucción que amplió la 'ley de nietos' a los no exiliados
Una jueza admite a trámite una querella de Hazte Oír contra Sofía Puente por la instrucción sobre la ‘ley de nietos’
What people are saying
present characteristics that make it possible to presume the possible existence of prevarication offenses
the instruction does not interpret the law; it rewrites it