New legal “front” opens for José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, as the Spanish law enforcement authorities expand the against him following findings in a recent investigation.
The former prime minister of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, already charged with improper influence, is facing new charges, this time for alleged tax evasion and smuggling, following the discovery of jewelry in his office during a search, Spanish authorities announced.
Thapatero, a respected historical figure of the Spanish left, is accused of failing to “provide proof of payment of customs duties, special taxes, or taxes related to the importation” of jewelry, with a total value of 1,323,915 euros, according to a document published by the National Court, which is leading the investigation.
These two charges are in addition to those of undue influence and money laundering in this multifaceted investigation, which initially focused on the role played by Zapatero in the rescue of a small airline in 2021.
After charges were filed against him on May 19 regarding this part of the case, he was summoned on June 17 and 18 by Judge José Luis Calama to be questioned as “alleged head of a stable and hierarchical structure” whose purpose was to obtain bribes, according to the National Court.
The socialist former prime minister (2004–2011) denies these charges.
Among the notable aspects of this investigation, as reported to the French Press Agency, was the discovery, during a search conducted on May 19, inside a safe belonging to Zapatero of these luxury jewelry and watches, which his associates said were family heirlooms.
His lawyer had publicly stated a sum much lower than the 1.3 million estimated by investigators.
Today, the Court, in Judge Kalamas’s ruling, referred to “luxury items of high value”, including numerous necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and watches.
The legal troubles of Thapatero are having negative consequences for the government of the current prime minister, the socialist Pedro Sánchez, with the opposition calling for his resignation and early elections.
With the atmosphere surrounding Sánchez already tense, as members of the prime minister’s family are also involved in legal cases, the Socialist leader nevertheless continued to express his support for his left-wing predecessor.
However, the pressure has intensified in recent days, despite the respite provided by Pope Leo’s trip to Spain.
In late May, a Supreme Court judge ordered the surrender of various documents and electronic files from the party’s headquarters as part of an investigation focused on Sánchez’s former associate, Santos Cerdán, as well as other party officials, lawyers, a businessman, and a police officer.
They are alleged to have attempted to influence administrative decisions and to undermine any legal proceedings or police action that would be detrimental to the Socialist Party or the government.
Sánchez denies having known anything about attempts to influence corruption investigations into his party.
