Judge extends investigation into Zapatero over tax fraud and smuggling
National Court judge José Luis Calama has widened the inquiry into former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, including the crimes of tax fraud and smuggling.
Judge extends investigation into Zapatero over tax fraud and smuggling
The judicial situation of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has become more complicated. Judge José Luis Calama of the National Court has decided to expand the investigation already underway into the socialist politician, adding two new criminal offences: tax fraud and smuggling. This decision follows the discovery of numerous pieces of jewellery in the office of the former head of government during a search carried out on 19 May last year.
The estimated value of the jewellery collection amounts to 1.3 million euros, a figure considerably higher than the figure initially cited. According to the court order, which news agency Efe has seen, there is no documentary justification for the origin of these items. The investigating judge considers that possessing luxury items of such value, without leaving any tax record of how they were acquired, may reveal undeclared enrichment to the tax authorities.
Furthermore, Calama suspects that smuggling may have occurred, as there are no documents proving payment of the customs duties corresponding to the import of such goods into European Union territory.
The list of crimes being investigated against the former head of government—who served between 2004 and 2011—is extensive: bribery, falsification of documents, criminal organisation, money laundering, tax fraud and smuggling. The investigation focuses on the fees Zapatero received as an adviser, his links with businessmen from Spain and Venezuela, and possible capital movements related to the rescue of airline Plus Ultra.
The politician, cited to testify on 17 and 18 June, denies any irregularity. During the search, his secretary explained that the jewels came from family inheritances—from his mother and mother-in-law—, from his own purchases and from gifts, without providing further details.
To determine the real value of the items, the judge commissioned an appraisal from the historic auction house Ansorena and from the Spanish Gemological Institute, which examined emeralds, rubies and sapphires included in sets, bracelets and earrings. The collection comprises around one hundred items: watches, rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Zapatero's circle had initially spoken of a value between 30,000 and 50,000 euros. The enormous difference with the official appraisal led Luis Arroyo, communications adviser and considered spokesman for the former president, to publicly apologise for having provided an incorrect figure.
Investigators are now attempting to trace the provenance of these objects to verify whether they are related to alleged fund transfers linked to the rescue of Plus Ultra.
Source: Il Fatto Quotidiano
Source: Il Fatto Quotidiano - Cronaca