Spain’s former PM Zapatero faces questioning by judge in corruption probe
Zapatero denied wrongdoing as the judge examined allegations tied to a €53 million Plus Ultra bailout and jewellery valued at €1.3 million.
- On Wednesday, Judge José Luis Calama rejected former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's request to suspend his two-day testimony, clearing the way for his appearance at the Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid.
- Investigators placed Zapatero under formal investigation last month for alleged influence peddling tied to the 2021 bailout of airline Plus Ultra, which received €53 million in public funds following the Covid-19 pandemic.
- A police search of Zapatero's office uncovered luxury watches and jewelry valued at €1.3 million, prompting Judge Calama to probe potential tax fraud and smuggling while alleging the former leader operated a "stable and hierarchical" structure.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed "full support" for his mentor, though University of Valencia professor Astrid Barrio warned the investigation threatens the reputation of the "moral beacon of Pedro Sanchez and the current Socialist party."
- The investigation adds to graft probes threatening the government, as the Socialists have suffered four regional election drubbings since late 2025 while the conservative Popular Party demands resignation citing systemic corruption.
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86 Articles
By Pau Mosquera, CNN en Español. Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero again defended his innocence after testifying Wednesday morning before the National Court in connection with two investigations being led by the court. These investigations focus on possible irregularities related to government subsidies granted to the airline Plus Ultra in 2021, as well as the possession of jewelry of unexplained origin. “I am accused of…
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero will appear before the Spanish National Court on Wednesday and Thursday. He will testify there in a lawsuit against him concerning an illegal rescue operation of an airline and the discovery of millions of dollars worth of jewels in his office safe.
Prosecutors seek passport surrender, regular court appearances after questioning Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero over $61M government bailout of airline
Spain's ex-PM Zapatero denies wrongdoing in graft court hearing
The judge of the Audiencia Nacional José Luis Calama has decided this Wednesday not to withdraw the passport to the former president of the government José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero nor to impose on him the obligation to appear periodically before the court, thus dismissing the precautionary measures requested by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office at the end of his statement as investigated in ... Continue reading "The judge sees no risk of e…
The former Spanish Prime Minister's testimony in the Plus Ultra case lasted three hours, with him denying the accusations.
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