Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish president, loses freedom of movement over alleged corruption
Pedro Sánchez's partner must remain in Spain, surrender her travel document and report fortnightly to the competent authorities whilst the investigation into economic crimes progresses.
Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish president, loses freedom of movement over alleged corruption
Spanish justice has restricted Begoña Gómez, the spouse of government chief Pedro Sánchez, from leaving the country as part of judicial proceedings accusing her of unlawful conduct of an economic nature. The ruling obliges the first lady to deposit her international identity document and to report to the corresponding officials every fifteen days. Additionally, an assistant of hers is reported to have suffered the same passport restriction. The date for the oral hearing has not yet been set.
Since April, the wife of the socialist leader faces charges of alleged misappropriation of funds, fraud, bribery, and use of influence derived from her matrimonial link to the highest leader to benefit her professional development. In the midst of the pandemic, specifically in 2020 — two years after Sánchez took office — she was appointed to the position of head of a university master's programme at the Complutense University of Madrid.
The controversy has shaken the political scene of the Iberian country. Both, husband and wife, flatly reject any irregularity. The origin of the case dates back to 2024, when a platform opposed to corruption — with connections identified with far-right formations — submitted its complaint. This group had previously attempted, without success and with scant foundation, to initiate proceedings against figures from the opposition.
Source: De Standaard