Spanish court opens investigation into former PM Zapatero

Spain's High Criminal Court has initiated a separate investigation into prominent Socialist Party politician and former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The probe is related to suspicions of smuggling and tax fraud.

The new line of investigation focuses on over 100 jewelry items discovered by police last month during a search of Zapatero's personal office. According to the court's statement, the value of these items exceeds €1.3 million.

Judge José Luis Calama stated that the legal origin of the jewelry "has not been confirmed for now." He noted that the possession of these items, combined with the lack of tax documentation regarding their purchase, constitutes "objective and reasonable evidence of possible significant tax fraud."

The judge also found grounds to investigate possible crimes related to smuggling, suggesting that the goods may have entered the EU "bypassing necessary checks and tax obligations."

In May, it was reported that Zapatero was already under investigation for alleged influence peddling and related crimes.

Recently, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez once again refused to resign and call early elections, despite calls from opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo and a series of corruption scandals within the ruling party.