Former president Zapatero appears before judge over alleged influence peddling, tax fraud and money laundering
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, former head of the Spanish government between 2004 and 2011, has been summoned to testify before the judge of the National Court José Luis Calama, who is investigating him for alleged influence peddling, money laundering and tax fraud in the context of the 'Plus Ultra'
Former president Zapatero appears before judge over alleged influence peddling, tax fraud and money laundering
For the first time in Spain's democratic history, a former head of the executive has been summoned to testify before an investigating judge in the capacity of a defendant. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who held the presidency of the government between 2004 and 2011, appeared this Wednesday before the National Court in Madrid to answer to the magistrate José Luis Calama.
According to reporting from TV5 Monde, the judge accuses Zapatero of being the alleged ringleader of an organised and hierarchical structure whose purpose would have been the collection of bribes, an accusation that the former Socialist leader categorically denies.
The investigation is part of the so-called "Plus Ultra" case, which examines whether the former leader favoured a public bailout of 53 million euros to a small airline during the Covid-19 pandemic in exchange for personal economic benefits. During a search carried out in the former leader's office, the security forces found a large quantity of jewellery and luxury watches in a safe. Zapatero's circle attributed these items to family inheritances, but the judiciary states that he has been unable to justify their origin. The value of these pieces was estimated by investigators at 1.3 million euros, which is why he was also charged with alleged tax fraud and smuggling.
Zapatero's appearance will also continue during Thursday's session. In the capacity of a defendant, the former leader has the right to remain silent and is not obliged to testify. However, there is great anticipation as to whether he will ultimately choose to break his silence and provide an explanation.
This case adds pressure to the government of current president Pedro Sánchez, also of the PSOE, whose family and political circle is embroiled in multiple judicial proceedings. The wife of the head of the executive, Begoña Gómez, could soon be sent to trial for alleged crimes of corruption and influence peddling.
Source: Google News MA — Crime (fr)