Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is battling a series of legal investigations involving his inner circle, including his wife, brother and former transport minister, that have tarnished his leftist government.
While the 52-year-old and his Socialist Party have dismissed the cases as baseless and part of a right-wing “slander campaign”, the judicial attack has given his opponents fresh ammunition to attack him.
Here’s a look at the ongoing legal cases against one of Europe’s longest-serving leaders:
Wife
Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, has been under investigation since April over alleged corruption and influence peddling while working at Madrid’s Complutense University following complaints by two groups with far-right ties – “Manos Limpias” (Clean Hands) and “Hazte”. Are within the scope of. Oir” (Make Your Voice Heard).
He is also suspected of illegally appropriating software funded by private companies and originally designed for the university.
The 49-year-old was questioned by a judge in July and is due to testify again in a Madrid court on Wednesday to investigate the case.
During an appearance before the conservative-controlled Madrid regional parliament in November, Gómez dismissed the corruption allegations as politically motivated.
former minister
Sánchez’s former transport minister José Luis Abalos, who used to be a member of his inner circle, is under investigation for allegedly accepting bribes for contracts to buy masks and other medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 .
Abalos would have received “financial compensation” for his services in the form of a house in the southern city of Cadiz, which was offered by the company that won the contract, according to a court document seen by AFP.
The same company also allegedly paid the rent for the Madrid flat of a woman “connected” to the former minister.
Abalos denies any wrongdoing. Sánchez fired him in July 2021 and he was expelled from the Socialist Party in February after the case broke. He still sits as an independent member of Parliament.
Brother
David Sanchez, the prime minister’s younger brother, has been under investigation since November for alleged embezzlement, influence peddling and tax fraud following a complaint by “Manos Limpias”.
The group has accused David, who is in charge of live entertainment in the south-western province of Badajoz, of collecting public salaries without going to his workplace as required.
It also raises questions about the conditions under which he was appointed to the post by the province’s socialist administration in 2017.
He has been summoned to appear in court on January 9 for questioning on the matter.
judicial leak
The prime minister’s team is also accused of leaking information to the media about a tax fraud case involving the partner of Isabel Diaz Ayuso, the head of the Madrid region and a leading figure in Spain’s opposition conservative Popular Party.
Alberto González Amador, a businessman, reportedly proposed a guilty plea to the public prosecutor’s office by email in an attempt to avoid a trial and possible prison term. This email was leaked to the press.
Amador accused state prosecutors of violating his right to privacy with the leaks, and in October the Supreme Court opened an investigation into Spain’s top prosecutor, who was appointed by the Sanchez government and accused of being behind the leaks. Is.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
