Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been ordered to stand trial following a lengthy investigation lasting over two years. The case centers on allegations of influence peddling related to her professional and academic endeavors and her interactions with various entrepreneurs.
Alongside Gómez, her assistant at the Moncloa Palace, Cristina Álvarez, will also face trial, accused of alleged embezzlement.
The decision was made by investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who rejected the defense's requests to dismiss the charges against the prime minister's wife. According to Spanish media, including El País, the defense had challenged the validity of the popular accusation brought by the HazteOir association and sought to have the case dismissed, citing significant flaws in the prosecution's arguments.
In Spain's legal system, a popular accusation allows parties not directly affected by a crime to participate in a criminal case. HazteOir has called for sentences of up to 13 years for Gómez and six years for Álvarez. These are prosecutorial demands, not convictions.
The investigation began in 2024 following a complaint by the organization Manos Limpias, which alleged that Gómez used her position as the prime minister's wife to advance private interests. The defense has contested these charges.
Initially, investigators considered four different criminal charges. According to the provided text, last July, the Provincial Court excluded charges of business corruption and misappropriation, leaving open the issues of influence peddling and embezzlement.
A significant part of the investigation focuses on Gómez's role at the Complutense University of Madrid, where she co-directed a special chair. Judge Peinado's findings suggest her position may have played a part in securing the role. The defense disputes this interpretation.
Another aspect involves her professional ties with entrepreneur Juan Carlos Barrabés. Gómez had signed letters of support for companies linked to him, which later secured public contracts. The judge considers these relationships as key elements in the influence peddling charges.
The judicial proceedings have significantly impacted Spanish political discourse over the past two years, partly due to Gómez's husband's institutional role. The trial now marks a new phase in the case, where the court will determine the validity of the prosecution's claims.
(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati