Former Government President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero testifies before judge in corruption case
The former Socialist prime minister has appeared at the National Court denying accusations of influence trafficking and money laundering. He is the first government president investigated since democracy's return to Spain.
Former Government President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero testifies before judge in corruption case
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared on Wednesday before a judge at the National Court to defend himself against accusations levelled at him in a separate section of the Koldo case, focused on alleged offences of influence trafficking and money laundering. The former head of government is the first person to have held the presidency to be formally investigated since democratic restoration in Spain.
The interrogation lasted three and a half hours. Upon conclusion, Zapatero issued a statement rejecting the charges. "I am accused of very serious crimes that I have not committed," he stated. The Socialist politician added that he had submitted to the court a general voluntary authorisation to demonstrate that he does not own companies or assets outside Spanish territory. "I have always behaved with decency and honesty, and now that I have the task ahead of proving it, I will do so with absolute transparency," he assured.
The judicial investigation maintains that the former prime minister would have headed a structure dedicated to mediating before public bodies on behalf of third parties in exchange for profit. One of the alleged beneficiaries would have been the airline Plus Ultra, which received state aid of 53 million euros during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
Zapatero's situation has become more complicated in recent days. Last week, investigating magistrate José Luis Calama opened a new line of investigation after discovering jewellery valued at approximately 1.3 million euros during a search carried out at the former prime minister's office. The pieces lack documentation proving their provenance, which has led the judge to investigate possible tax violations or smuggling offences.
During Wednesday's statement, when the magistrate asked him about the jewellery, Zapatero chose to exercise his right not to testify, claiming that his legal defence had not had sufficient time to prepare its position on the matter, according to reporting by news agency EFE citing judicial sources.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office requested the withdrawal of the former prime minister's passport, but the judge rejected it. Calama considered that Zapatero's public prominence reduces the risk that he would attempt to flee the country.
The case has generated strong political impact, as Zapatero remains an influential figure within the Socialist Party and a close ally of the current government president, Pedro Sánchez, whose administration is facing various crises over corruption cases.
Source: Majorca Daily Bulletin
Source: Majorca Daily Bulletin