Spanish Court Orders Prime Minister's Wife to Surrender Passport, Bans Her from Leaving Country

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has ruled that Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, must hand over her passport and is banned from leaving the country while under investigation. She is also required to appear in court twice a month until a verdict is reached. Instructions have been issued to all border checkpoints and airports to enforce the travel ban.

The investigation into Gómez began in April 2024 to determine whether she used her husband's position for personal gain. The case focuses on the creation and management of a professorship at Complutense University of Madrid, as well as the alleged misuse of state resources and personal contacts to advance private interests. Both Gómez and Sánchez deny the allegations.

In April, Judge Peinado formally charged Gómez with embezzlement, influence peddling, business corruption, and misappropriation of funds. The complaint was filed by the anti-corruption organization "Hazte Oir."

Separately, Sánchez's brother, David Sánchez, is also under investigation for influence peddling related to his hiring by the Socialist-run provincial council of Badajoz.