The former Prime Minister appeared at the courthouse in Madrid prime minister of Spain, to provide explanations regarding the two serious cases that are causing turmoil in the country’s political scene.

The former Prime Minister of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, testified before judge in Madrid on Wednesday, June 17, regarding his alleged role in the state bailout of an airline and his ties to the trafficking of jewelrywhich were found during a police search of his office.

This was his first appearance before a judge in Thapatero since he came under investigation last month for alleged influence peddling, money laundering, and other possible financial irregularities related to the Spanish government’s bailout of the airline “Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas” by the Spanish government.

The 65-year-old former Prime Minister of Spain (from 2004 to 2011), had been out of public office for a decade when Plus Ultra received public funding in 2021 amounting to 53 million euros (61.5 million dollars) from the COVID-19 recovery funds. Plus Ultra, which had investors from Venezuela, was an airline specializing in flights between Spain and South America.

Judge (José Luis Calama) is also investigating a possible case of tax evasion and smuggling involving jewelry worth 1.3 million euros (1.5 million dollars), which was found in a safe during a police search of Zapatero’s office in May. Zapatero has denied any wrongdoing in the airline case and has stated that the jewelry was inherited or received as gifts.

He remains a prominent figure in the Socialist Party, which is led by current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose party has faced scandals involving corruption over the past two years.

Since leaving office, Zapatero has focused on maintaining a dialogue with the Venezuelan government, which had been largely isolated by Western countries following the crackdown on the democratic opposition.

In a statement to local media, Zapatero again denied any wrongdoing. He stated that he has no assets outside of Spain and that he trusts the justice system. “I have been accused of serious crimes that I did not commit,” he said in his statement. “I have always acted with dignity and honor, and now I am called upon to prove it.”

In Spain, an investigating judge looks into allegations of a crime and may recommend that a case be sent to trial if there is sufficient evidence. Another judge then takes over the trial proceedings. The entire process can take months or even longer.