The Independent Authority for Whistleblower Protection (AIPI) has found sufficient evidence of retaliation against two senior officials at the National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) who reported significant financial irregularities linked to a 25 million euro embezzlement over a 17-year period. The preliminary conclusions suggest the initiation of sanctions against CNIO for their actions, which have been detailed in exclusive reports to El Mundo.

These officials, who served as the Director of Operations and the Compliance Director, were dismissed at the end of August 2025, shortly before the arrival of a new manager. Their termination followed a nearly ten-month investigation into the financial practices of the CNIO, during which they alerted the Ministry of Science about serious irregularities in the institution's management, raising critical concerns about accountability and governance within the CNIO.

The case raises important implications regarding whistleblower protections in Spain, especially in the context of scientific institutions. The Ministry of Science, led by Diana Morant, has faced scrutiny for not responding to the concerns raised by these officials during their investigation, highlighting a potential gap in the support mechanisms for those reporting misconduct in public institutions. AIPI's involvement underscores the necessity for stronger protections for whistleblowers to encourage the reporting of corruption and unethical practices without fear of retaliation.