Former judge linked to Facebook groups that harassed judge Biedma in Badajoz scandal

A sentencing document shows that former magistrate Luis José Sáenz de Tejada, who acted as defence counsel for one of the convicted in the PSOE “cloacas” investigation, was linked to Facebook groups that circulated defamatory videos targeting judge Beatriz Biedma. The Tribunal de Instancia de Badajoz convicted three administrators of the “Club de Debates Urbanos de Badajoz” of belonging to a criminal organization and of repeated defamation and insult, imposing short prison terms, daily fines and compensation ranging from €200 to €500 for each of 24 victims.

The groups, including “Badajoz Limpio” and “Transparencia Badajoz”, also used closed WhatsApp chats to plan attacks on municipal politicians, officials and contractors, even attempting to tarnish the PP mayor to trigger a motion of censure. While Sáenz de Tejada denies any coordination, the lawyer for Cintia Rocho claims he organized the groups and offered his contact details to a client. The case will be heard alongside the broader “cloacas” trial before judge Santiago Pedraz.