Zapatero appears before Supreme Court and denies all corruption charges
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared before the Supreme Court and denied corruption charges related to an alleged network of undue influence and money laundering.
Zapatero appears before Supreme Court and denies all corruption charges
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero presented himself before the Supreme Court of Madrid to testify as an investigated party in a case involving alleged corruption. During his appearance, which lasted three and a half hours, he categorically denied all the charges brought against him.
Zapatero, who governed Spain between 2004 and 2011, is the first former chief executive of Spanish democracy to be formally investigated by the judiciary. He arrived at the court dressed in a dark blue suit and grey tie, entering the building through an exclusive entrance to avoid media attention.
The Socialist politician is being investigated for his alleged participation in a network of undue influence and money laundering. It is suspected that he exerted pressure on public bodies for the benefit of third parties. One of the companies involved is the airline Plus Ultra, which received 53 million euros in a rescue package during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
"I am accused of very serious crimes that I did not commit," Zapatero stated in a statement issued following his appearance. He added that he had voluntarily submitted a general authorisation to the court to demonstrate that he does not own companies or assets outside Spain.
"I have always conducted myself with honesty and decency, and now that I have before me the duty to prove it, I will do so with complete transparency," he affirmed.
Last week, investigating judge José Luis Calama opened a separate investigation into jewellery found during a search of Zapatero's office. Its provisional value is estimated at approximately 1.3 million euros, although at present there is no documented evidence of its origin. Investigators are looking into whether it could be linked to tax offences or smuggling.
According to judicial sources cited by EFE news agency, when Calama interrogated Zapatero about the jewellery on Wednesday, the former prime minister exercised his right not to testify, arguing that his defence team had not had sufficient time to prepare.
The anti-corruption prosecutor had requested the confiscation of Zapatero's passport, but judge Calama refused, arguing that the former political leader's public reputation minimised any risk of flight.
Source: naftemporiki.gr
Source: Google News GR — Crime (el)