Judge imposes precautionary measures on Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish President Pedro Sánchez
A Spanish court has ordered that Begoña Gómez, wife of President Pedro Sánchez, stand trial for corruption and has prohibited her from leaving the country. She must surrender her travel documents and present herself to the authorities twice a month.
Judge imposes precautionary measures on Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish President Pedro Sánchez
A Spanish court has ordered that Begoña Gómez, wife of government President Pedro Sánchez, stand trial for corruption and has prohibited her from leaving national territory. This was reported by AFP news agency citing the judicial order. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has not yet set a date for the start of proceedings.
According to the ruling, Gómez must surrender her passports and appear before the authorities twice each month until sentence is passed. All border crossings, civil airports and military bases will receive instructions to ensure compliance with the measure, the court specified.
In April last year, the same Judge Peinado charged the wife of the head of government with the offences of embezzlement, abuse of influence, corruption in commercial transactions and fraud.
The investigation began in April 2024 to determine whether Gómez took advantage of her status as the president's spouse to obtain personal benefits. Both she and Sánchez deny any irregularity.
The case centres on the creation of a university chair for Gómez at an institution in Madrid, as well as the alleged use of public resources and personal contacts to favour private interests.
The investigation was initiated following a complaint filed by an anti-corruption group linked to the far right. When the investigation was opened in April 2024, President Sánchez temporarily suspended his functions for several days to assess whether he would continue in office.
Gómez has always rejected any criminal wrongdoing, whilst Sánchez has characterised the accusations against his wife as an attempt by the right to destabilise his government.
Sánchez's Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has faced various controversies in recent times. The president's brother, David Sánchez, will also have to stand trial for alleged purchase of influence.
Sánchez came to power in 2018 following the fall of the conservative People's Party government, marred by corruption scandals. The socialist leader has stated that he will continue to lead the executive despite the growing number of charges in his immediate circle.
Source: Seznam Zprávy
Source: Google News CZ — Crime (cs)