A Spanish court has ordered Begoña Gomez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to be tried by a jury on corruption-related charges and barred her from leaving Spain.According to a court order issued on Saturday, Judge Juan Carlos Peñado directed Gomez to surrender his passport and appear in court twice a month until the decision is made. The court also directed authorities to enforce travel restrictions across the country.The ruling said that “instructions will be issued to all border posts and civil and military airports” to ensure compliance with the ban on Gomez leaving the country.No date has yet been set for the trial, which is expected to draw intense political scrutiny.The case is one of several corruption investigations and trials involving individuals close to Sanchez that have fueled opposition calls for his resignation and early elections.Peñado formally accused Gómez in April of embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business transactions and misuse of funds. The investigation focused on the creation and management of a chair at the Complutense University of Madrid, which was co-directed by Gómez, as well as allegations that public resources and personal connections were used to pursue private interests.When filing charges, the judge wrote that the university chair “served as a means of personal professional development for the individual under investigation”.The investigation was launched in April 2024 to determine whether Gómez had used her position as the prime minister’s wife for personal gain. Gómez has consistently denied wrongdoing, while Sánchez has rejected the allegations and described them as part of an effort by political opponents to undermine his government.The investigation began with a complaint filed by an anti-corruption group with far-right ties.The case has had major political implications since its inception. After the investigation began in 2024, Sánchez temporarily suspended his public duties for several days while considering whether to remain in office.The Prime Minister is also facing pressure from other corruption cases involving former aides and family members. Judgments are pending in separate lawsuits involving his former transport minister and close political ally Jose Luis Abalos, as well as his brother David Sanchez.Last month, former Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was placed under formal investigation into suspected influence peddling linked to the 2021 bailout of airline Plus Ultra. Zapatero has denied the allegations, and Sánchez has expressed “full support” for his political mentor.