Begoña Gómez: Trial with jury for Spanish Prime Minister's spouse despite prosecution rejection
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has sent the Spanish Prime Minister's spouse to trial on charges of undue influence and embezzlement. The prosecution had requested dismissal, citing lack of legal grounds.
Gómez sent to trial despite prosecution opposition — political crisis for Sánchez
Begoña Gómez, spouse of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been committed to trial by jury on charges of undue influence and embezzlement, according to a ruling by investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado. As reported by Ta Nea, the committal comes despite explicit opposition from the prosecution authorities, who had characterised the allegations as legally unfounded.
The prosecutors had highlighted "serious technical defects" in the indictment, which they characterised as incompatible with the law and "incapable of correction". Both Gómez's lawyers and the prosecutor requested dismissal of the case; the judge rejected these arguments and proceeded with the committal.
The investigation began in April 2024 following a complaint by the far-right organisation "Manos Limpias" (Clean Hands) against Gómez and her assistant at the Prime Minister's office, Cristina Álvarez. The ultra-Catholic organisation "Hazte Oír", which is acting as a private prosecutor, is seeking a sentence of 13 years' imprisonment.
Initially the judge had ordered trial on four charges — embezzlement, undue influence, corruption in the business sector and abuse of resources. In July, the Provincial Court annulled the latter two. Peinado then repeated the final stage of the preliminary investigation and convened a new pre-trial hearing, following which he issued the new committal order. There is no provision for appeal against this ruling.
During the proceedings, dozens of witnesses testified, including Prime Minister Sánchez himself and Minister of the Presidency and Justice Félix Bolaños. In June, the judge had also banned Gómez from leaving Spain.
According to Peinado's theory, Gómez exploited her status as the Prime Minister's spouse to advance her academic career at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). Within the framework of a special academic chair that she co-directed, software was developed with support from companies such as Google and Indra. Furthermore, the judge contends that Gómez used her assistant at the official Prime Minister's residence for private work.
The Sánchez government reacted sharply. Sources from the Prime Minister's office stated that the judge's ruling was "arbitrary and unfair" and that the prosecution is due solely to Gómez's relationship with the Prime Minister. "Throughout the investigative process, her innocence has been proven emphatically and we are certain that this will be confirmed in court as well", the same sources said.
The right-wing People's Party and far-right Vox had exercised constant criticism of the government throughout the investigation. Following the committal ruling, the People's Party stated that "the hour of accountability is approaching", emphasising that "judges are doing their work and applying the law" and that "what [Gómez] cannot do is exploit her position to further her interests".
The case is expected to intensify pressure on the Socialist government, which is already facing a crisis in Ceuta and scandals involving party officials. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Begoña Gómez will become the first spouse of a Prime Minister to stand trial in Spain. Judge Peinado himself is retiring this week, as he reaches the age limit of 72 on 27 September.
Source: Ta Nea