Former Spanish President Zapatero investigated for tax fraud and jewellery smuggling
Spanish justice expands accusation against José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, adding tax fraud and smuggling to suspicions of influence peddling, following the discovery of jewels valued at 1.3 million euros.
Former Spanish President Zapatero investigated for tax fraud and jewellery smuggling
The judicial investigation against former Spanish head of government José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has added two new offences: tax fraud and smuggling. These accusations join previous allegations of influence peddling and money laundering in a case linked to the rescue of airline Plus Ultra.
The order from the investigating judge, which Iberian media outlets have had access to, details that the new suspicions emerged following a search carried out on 19 May at the former leader's office. During the inspection, officers located a safe containing fine jewellery valued at 1.3 million euros. The magistrate indicates that the origin of these belongings "is not justified at this moment".
In his ruling, the judge considers that possessing assets of such an amount without any record in asset declarations or tax filings constitutes "an objective and rational indication" of possible large-scale tax fraud. Furthermore, he points to the commission of a smuggling offence, since the pieces were found in Spanish territory without proof of payment of customs duties or special levies related to their introduction into the European Union.
The former president, who is turning 65, must appear before the judge on 17 and 18 June in the Spanish capital. Through associates, Zapatero has argued that the jewels come from family legacies and gifts received, without specifying further.
The case is part of the investigation opened to clarify the circumstances of the Plus Ultra rescue in 2021, when the cabinet of Pedro Sánchez approved a 53-million-euro loan to the airline. According to the case file, the investigated individual would have directed "a stable and hierarchical structure" dedicated to obtaining financial benefits through pressure on public bodies, using shell companies and false documentation to hide the money trail.
The national government has expressed confidence in judicial independence and has reiterated respect for the presumption of innocence of the former socialist leader.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)