The court prevented the wife of Spanish Prime Minister, Begona Gomez, from leaving the country
A Spanish court ordered Begona Gomez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to stand trial before a jury on corruption charges, and banned her from leaving Spain.According to the court order issued on Saturday, Judge Juan Carlos Peinado ordered Gomez to surrender her passport and appear in court twice a month until a ruling is reached.
The court also directed the authorities to impose travel restrictions nationwide.The ruling stipulated that “instructions be issued to all border posts and civilian and military airports” to ensure that Gomez complies with the ban on leaving the country.No date has yet been set for the trial, which is expected to receive 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 Gomez was formally charged in April with embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business transactions and embezzlement of funds. The investigation focuses on the establishment and management of a chair at the Complutense University of Madrid, which Gomez co-directed, as well as allegations that public resources and personal connections were used to advance private interests.In filing the charges, the judge wrote that the university chair “served as a vehicle for the private professional development of the person under investigation.”
The investigation was opened in April 2024 to determine whether Gomez had used her position as the prime minister’s wife for private gain. Gomez has consistently denied any wrongdoing, while Sanchez has dismissed the allegations as part of an effort by political opponents to undermine his government.The investigation was based on a complaint filed by an anti-corruption group with far-right ties.The case had major political repercussions from its inception.
After the investigation began in 2024, Sanchez temporarily suspended his public duties for several days while he considered remaining in his position.The Prime Minister is also facing pressure from other corruption cases involving his former allies and family members. Judgments are still pending in separate trials involving former transportation minister and his 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 over suspected influence peddling linked to the airline’s Plus Ultra bailout in 2021. Zapatero denied the accusations, and Sánchez expressed his “full support” for his political mentor.