Spanish court bans Prime Minister's wife from leaving country over corruption case
Begoña Gómez, wife of Pedro Sánchez, must stand trial before a jury on corruption charges and is forbidden from leaving Spain. The judge ordered her to surrender her passport and report to authorities fortnightly.
Spanish court bans Prime Minister's wife from leaving country over corruption case
A Spanish court has ordered that Begoña Gómez, spouse of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, stand trial before a jury on corruption charges. The judicial ruling, made public last Saturday, prohibits her from leaving Spanish territory.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado instructed the defendant to surrender her passport and report to the authorities twice a month until the trial takes place. In the reasoning for his decision, set out across 84 pages, the judge stated that orders would be issued to all border posts and civil and military airports to ensure compliance with this precautionary measure. A date for the oral hearing in this high-profile political case has not yet been set.
In April, the same judge had charged Begoña Gómez with embezzlement of funds, abuse of influence, corruption in business dealings and misconduct in office. The investigation was opened in April 2024 to determine whether the Prime Minister's wife had exploited her position to obtain private benefits, something both she and her husband firmly deny.
The case centres on the creation and management of a chair at the Complutense University of Madrid, which Begoña Gómez co-directed, as well as the alleged use of public resources and personal contacts to favour private interests. According to the judge, "the chair served as a means of private professional development for the person under investigation". The case originated in a complaint filed by an anti-corruption association linked to the far right.
Justice Minister Félix Bolaños described the decision as "a dreadful day for those of us who believe in justice" and asserted that "the truth will prevail". Socialist Party leaders criticised the ban on leaving the country, considering it disproportionate.
In his reasoning, Judge Peinado dismissed the argument that the security agents who habitually protect Begoña Gómez could prevent a possible escape. According to the judge, those officers "could, on their own initiative or by order of their superiors, contribute to facilitating a flight that would make it impossible for the defendant to be brought before the courts".
When the investigation was opened in April 2024, Pedro Sánchez temporarily suspended his duties for several days to consider his continuance as head of government. Begoña Gómez has always denied any impropriety, whilst the Prime Minister has rejected the accusations against his wife, characterising them as an attempt by the right to destabilise his executive.
This information has been gathered by 20 Minutes.
Source: Google News LU FR