Pedro Sanchez’s Wife Ordered to Stand Trial in Spain Corruption Case

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s wife, Begoña Gomez, has been ordered to stand trial on corruption-related charges and has been barred from leaving Spain, according to a ruling issued by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado on Saturday. The decision marks a significant development in a high-profile legal case that has intensified political tensions in Spain.

Gomez is accused of allegedly leveraging her position as the wife of the Spanish prime minister to help secure business contracts. She has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintains that the allegations are unfounded. The case was initiated by several far-right organizations that have long opposed Sanchez and his Socialist Party.

As part of the court’s ruling, Gomez must surrender her passport, is prohibited from traveling abroad, and is required to appear before the court twice each month while legal proceedings continue. Sources cited by Spanish newspaper El Pais said Gomez plans to appeal the restrictions, particularly the confiscation of her passport and the travel ban.

The ruling adds further pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose government has faced growing scrutiny amid multiple corruption investigations involving individuals linked to his administration. While Sanchez himself has not been accused of any criminal conduct, he has repeatedly argued that the investigations are politically motivated and part of a broader effort to force him from office.

The Socialist Party strongly criticized the court’s decision, stating on social media platform X that Gomez has endured what it described as two years of judicial and political persecution. Party officials argued that the latest measures represent another stage in a campaign targeting the prime minister’s family.

Meanwhile, several senior Socialist Party figures, including the party’s third-ranking official and Sanchez’s former transport minister, remain under investigation over alleged kickback schemes connected to public infrastructure projects, energy contracts, and pandemic-era mask procurement deals. All individuals involved have denied the allegations.

In a separate development, Spain’s High Court announced an investigation into former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. Authorities are examining claims that he led a lobbying network that allegedly profited from influencing public authorities on behalf of private interests, including airline Plus Ultra. Zapatero has denied all accusations.

The ongoing corruption investigations have become a major political challenge for Spain’s government, drawing national and international attention as legal proceedings continue.