Spain: Court bars president's wife from leaving the country
A Spanish court has ordered that Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, stand trial by jury on corruption charges and has banned her from leaving national territory.
Spain: Court bars president's wife from leaving the country
A Spanish court has ordered that Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, stand trial by public jury on alleged corruption charges and has banned her from leaving national territory. The judicial ruling was made public on Saturday.
The judge of the Court of Instruction number 7 in Madrid, Rosa María Freire, has ordered the opening of oral proceedings against the wife of Spain's head of government. The investigation focuses on alleged offences of abuse of influence and corruption in the business sphere. The judicial ruling imposes on Begoña Gómez the obligation to appear before the court every fifteen days and confiscates her passport, thereby preventing her from leaving Spain.
The case dates back to a complaint filed by the union Manos Limpias, which accuses the president's wife of having used her position to favour business interests. The judicial investigation has been the subject of strong political controversy in Spain, with the Popular Party and Vox demanding accountability from President Sánchez, who has consistently defended his wife's innocence.
The Madrid court's decision comes at a time of great political tension in the country. President Sánchez had previously announced that he would take time to reflect on his political future following the start of the judicial investigation against his wife. He ultimately decided to remain in office.
The opening of oral proceedings represents an important step in the judicial procedure, as the case will now be tried by a jury court. Begoña Gómez's defence has announced that it will appeal the decision and has reiterated her innocence.
This case has generated intense debate in Spain over the separation of powers, the presumption of innocence, and the role of the spouses of high-ranking public officials.
Source: France 24
Source: France 24 - France