Spain's High Criminal Court Opens Investigation into Former Prime Minister Zapatero
Spain's High Criminal Court has launched a separate investigation into former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero on suspicion of smuggling and tax fraud, linked to over 100 jewelry items worth more than €1.3 million found in his office.
Spain's High Criminal Court has initiated a separate investigation into José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, a leading figure of the Socialist Party and former prime minister, on suspicions of smuggling and tax fraud.
The investigation focuses on more than 100 jewelry items discovered by police last month during a search of Zapatero's personal office. According to the court, their value exceeds €1.3 million. Judge José Luis Calama stated that the legal origin of the jewels has not been confirmed. He noted that possessing them, combined with the lack of tax documentation on their acquisition, constitutes objective and reasonable evidence of possible significant tax fraud.
The judge also found grounds to investigate potential smuggling offenses, suggesting that the goods may have entered the European Union bypassing necessary checks and tax obligations.
In May, it was reported that Zapatero was already under investigation for alleged influence peddling and related crimes. This development comes amid ongoing corruption scandals affecting the ruling party, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez repeatedly refusing to resign or call early elections despite calls from the opposition leader.
