A Spanish court has ordered Begonia Gomez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to stand trial on corruption charges. The ruling includes a travel ban and the requirement for her to surrender her passport.
The 55-year-old Gomez is facing allegations of embezzlement, influence peddling, business corruption, and misappropriation of funds following a two-year investigation. She has denied any wrongdoing. The case was initiated after a complaint from the organization Manos Limpias, which identifies itself as a union with ties to the far-right in Spain.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado mandated that Gomez surrender her passport, prohibited her from leaving Spain, and ordered her to report to the court twice a month, as detailed in a court order released on June 20. The date for her trial has yet to be set.
Prime Minister Sanchez has repeatedly characterized the charges against his wife as unfounded and politically motivated. He accused political and media adversaries of targeting his family and has publicly questioned the impartiality of certain judges.
The Socialist Party, led by Sanchez, expressed its concerns on social media, stating, “Begonia has faced judicial and political persecution for two years. Today’s event is another step in this process.”
This case is part of a series of corruption investigations that could threaten Sanchez’s government. While the Prime Minister has not been implicated in any of these cases, his brother David is accused of influence peddling, and former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos faces allegations of accepting bribes for government contracts. Both have denied the charges.
Begonia Gomez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, is set to face trial on corruption charges, including embezzlement and influence peddling. The case, initiated by a far-right organization, has raised political tensions as Sanchez defends his family's integrity amid ongoing investigations.
Source: The Guardian