A Spanish judge has ruled that Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, must stand trial on corruption charges and has also imposed travel restrictions on her.
The decision comes amid a series of corruption investigations involving individuals linked to Spain’s ruling political circles.
Investigating Judge Juan Carlos Peinado ordered Gómez to face trial over allegations that she used her position as the prime minister’s spouse to secure business contracts.
Gómez denies all wrongdoing. The case was initiated by far-right groups and has become a politically sensitive legal matter in Spain.
Travel ban and court restrictions
As part of the ruling, the court ordered Gómez to surrender her passport and barred her from leaving Spain.
She has also been instructed to report to court twice a month while the legal proceedings continue.
The measures are intended to ensure her presence during the ongoing judicial process.
The case is one of several corruption probes that have placed political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, one of Europe’s few remaining left-wing leaders.
Although Sánchez himself has not been named in any case, he has claimed the investigations are part of a broader campaign aimed at removing him from office.
Investigations into political allies
Several close associates of the prime minister are also under investigation.
These include senior figures from the Socialist Party as well as Sánchez’s former transport minister, with allegations linked to kickbacks involving public works contracts, oil and gas deals, and pandemic-related mask procurement.
All accused individuals have denied wrongdoing.
In a separate development, Spain’s High Court is investigating former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero over allegations that he led a lobbying network that profited from influencing public authorities on behalf of third parties.
The alleged scheme is said to involve companies including airline Plus Ultra. Zapatero has strongly denied the accusations.
