Guardian

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European Conservative

Former Spanish PM Zapatero Named in Corruption Probe

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Al Jazeera

Spain’s former PM Zapatero faces corruption probe

The Times

Spain’s ex-prime minister investigated in money-laundering case

Financial Times

Former Spanish PM Zapatero targeted in corruption probe

General Council of the Judiciary

The National Court summons former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero as a suspect in crimes of influence peddling and other related offenses.

Euractiv

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Independent

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The Straits Times

Spanish prime minister's brother to stand trial accused of influence peddling

On Tuesday, Spain's National Court judge, José Luis Calama, summoned former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to appear as a suspect on June 2, marking the first time since Spain's transition to democracy that a former prime minister has been formally investigated in a corruption-related criminal inquiry.

On Tuesday, Spain's National Court judge, José Luis Calama, summoned former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to appear as a suspect on June 2, marking the first time since Spain's transition to democracy that a former prime minister has been formally investigated in a corruption-related criminal inquiry.

Court documents allege Zapatero led "a stable and hierarchical influence-peddling structure" tied to the €53 million (now roughly $63 million) state bailout of the airline Plus Ultra in 2021, with police searching his Madrid office and three other premises on Tuesday.

Court documents allege Zapatero led "a stable and hierarchical influence-peddling structure" tied to the €53 million (now roughly $63 million) state bailout of the airline Plus Ultra in 2021, with police searching his Madrid office and three other premises on Tuesday.

The Spanish government approved the bailout during the COVID-19 pandemic through Spain's state holding company SEPI after designating the airline a strategic asset. Critics, however, questioned the airline's financial viability and its links to Venezuelan investors.

The Spanish government approved the bailout during the COVID-19 pandemic through Spain's state holding company SEPI after designating the airline a strategic asset. Critics, however, questioned the airline's financial viability and its links to Venezuelan investors.

Prosecutors are examining whether the bailout funds were used to launder money from Venezuela through an international scheme stretching across Spain, France and Switzerland, allegedly involving "shell companies, falsified documents and opaque financial channels."

Prosecutors are examining whether the bailout funds were used to launder money from Venezuela through an international scheme stretching across Spain, France and Switzerland, allegedly involving "shell companies, falsified documents and opaque financial channels."

As part of this, Calama suspects Zapatero helped Julio Martínez Martínez, a businessman arrested in December, establish at least one offshore company in Dubai a week after Martínez's company, Idella Consulenza Strategica, signed a contract with Plus Ultra in January 2021 to receive 1% of the bailout money, to funnel the payment.

As part of this, Calama suspects Zapatero helped Julio Martínez Martínez, a businessman arrested in December, establish at least one offshore company in Dubai a week after Martínez's company, Idella Consulenza Strategica, signed a contract with Plus Ultra in January 2021 to receive 1% of the bailout money, to funnel the payment.

In a video statement, Zapatero denied any wrongdoing or having received payment from Plus Ultra. The case adds pressure on current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose wife and brother also face separate allegations of influence peddling, which they both deny.

In a video statement, Zapatero denied any wrongdoing or having received payment from Plus Ultra. The case adds pressure on current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose wife and brother also face separate allegations of influence peddling, which they both deny.

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Spain's National Court judge José Luis Calama summoned former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to appear as a suspect on June 2, marking the first time since Spain's transition to democracy that a former prime minister has been formally investigated in a corruption-related criminal inquiry.

Spain's National Court judge José Luis Calama summoned former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to appear as a suspect on June 2, marking the first time since Spain's transition to democracy that a former prime minister has been formally investigated in a corruption-related criminal inquiry.

Zapatero is alleged to have led "a stable and hierarchical influence-peddling structure" tied to the €53 million state bailout of airline Plus Ultra in 2021, with police searching his Madrid office and three other premises on Tuesday.

Zapatero is alleged to have led "a stable and hierarchical influence-peddling structure" tied to the €53 million state bailout of airline Plus Ultra in 2021, with police searching his Madrid office and three other premises on Tuesday.

The Plus Ultra bailout was approved during the COVID-19 pandemic via Spain's state holding company SEPI after the airline was designated a "strategic company." Critics questioned the airline's financial viability and its links to Venezuelan investors.

The Plus Ultra bailout was approved during the COVID-19 pandemic via Spain's state holding company SEPI after the airline was designated a "strategic company." Critics questioned the airline's financial viability and its links to Venezuelan investors.

Prosecutors are examining whether the bailout funds were used to launder money through an international scheme involving Spain, France and Switzerland. The National Court assumed jurisdiction after prosecutors argued the alleged operation had cross-border dimensions.

Prosecutors are examining whether the bailout funds were used to launder money through an international scheme involving Spain, France and Switzerland. The National Court assumed jurisdiction after prosecutors argued the alleged operation had cross-border dimensions.

Businessman Julio Martínez Martínez, a longtime associate of Zapatero, was arrested in December and is considered a key figure in the alleged scheme. Spanish media report investigators analyzed payments of more than €400,000 made to Zapatero for consultancy work linked to Martínez Martínez's company.

Businessman Julio Martínez Martínez, a longtime associate of Zapatero, was arrested in December and is considered a key figure in the alleged scheme. Spanish media report investigators analyzed payments of more than €400,000 made to Zapatero for consultancy work linked to Martínez Martínez's company.

Zapatero denied wrongdoing, saying he "never received any commissions from Plus Ultra." The case adds pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose wife and brother also face separate influence-peddling allegations, which both deny.

Zapatero denied wrongdoing, saying he "never received any commissions from Plus Ultra." The case adds pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose wife and brother also face separate influence-peddling allegations, which both deny.

Zapatero's summons doesn't erase his legacy as the leader who delivered the greatest social transformation in Spain's modern history. The presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of justice, and that principle must be upheld regardless of political pressure. Full cooperation with the justice system is the right move, and support for Zapatero remains firm.

Zapatero's summons doesn't erase his legacy as the leader who delivered the greatest social transformation in Spain's modern history. The presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of justice, and that principle must be upheld regardless of political pressure. Full cooperation with the justice system is the right move, and support for Zapatero remains firm.

Zapatero is now the only former Spanish president charged with corruption, facing allegations of money laundering, bribery and membership in a criminal organization tied to the Plus Ultra bailout. Fifteen corruption schemes have been uncovered, all connected to the same party and government. Spain's fourth-largest economy cannot afford to let this scandal go unanswered — elections are overdue.

Zapatero is now the only former Spanish president charged with corruption, facing allegations of money laundering, bribery and membership in a criminal organization tied to the Plus Ultra bailout. Fifteen corruption schemes have been uncovered, all connected to the same party and government. Spain's fourth-largest economy cannot afford to let this scandal go unanswered — elections are overdue.

Dolors Montserrat

Spain's Ex-PM Zapatero Summoned in Corruption Probe

Spain

Crime & justice

Politics

It is important to remember that, under Spanish law, Zapatero is innocent until proven guilty. While the PSOE will cooperate fully with the justice system in this matter, it does not forget that Zapatero was the leader who delivered the greatest social transformation in Spain's modern history, and for which he will have the PSOE's full support.

It is important to remember that, under Spanish law, Zapatero is innocent until proven guilty. While the PSOE will cooperate fully with the justice system in this matter, it does not forget that Zapatero was the leader who delivered the greatest social transformation in Spain's modern history, and for which he will have the PSOE's full support.

This development not only signifies Zapatero's fall from grace but also the extent to which the PSOE has allowed corruption to permeate the highest levels of government. With 15 corruption schemes uncovered so far, Spain cannot allow this abuse of power and position to go unanswered — elections are overdue, and change is needed.

This development not only signifies Zapatero's fall from grace but also the extent to which the PSOE has allowed corruption to permeate the highest levels of government. With 15 corruption schemes uncovered so far, Spain cannot allow this abuse of power and position to go unanswered — elections are overdue, and change is needed.

Spain's Ex-PM Zapatero Summoned in Corruption Probe

Spain's Ex-PM Zapatero Summoned in Corruption Probe

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Spain's Ex-PM Zapatero Summoned in Corruption Probe

Spain's Ex-PM Zapatero Summoned in Corruption Probe

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