Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been ordered to stand trial following an investigation that lasted over two years. The case revolves around allegations of influence peddling related to her professional and academic activities and her interactions with various entrepreneurs.
Alongside Gómez, her assistant at the Moncloa Palace, Cristina Álvarez, will also face trial for alleged embezzlement.
The decision was made by investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who rejected the defense's request to dismiss the case against the Prime Minister's wife. According to Spanish media, including El País, the defense had challenged the validity of the popular accusation filed by the association HazteOir and sought to have the case dropped, citing significant flaws in the prosecution's case.
In the Spanish legal system, a popular accusation allows parties not directly affected to participate in a criminal case. HazteOir has called for sentences of up to 13 years in prison for Gómez and six years for Álvarez. These are the prosecution's demands, not convictions.
The investigation began in 2024 following a complaint by the organization Manos Limpias, which alleged that Gómez used her position as the Prime Minister's wife to advance private interests. The defense has contested these charges.
Initially, investigators considered four different charges. According to the provided text, last July, the Provincial Court excluded business corruption and misappropriation from the case, leaving the charges of influence peddling and embezzlement open.
A significant part of the investigation focuses on Gómez's role at the Complutense University of Madrid, where she co-directed a special chair. Judge Peinado's findings suggest her position may have influenced her appointment. The defense disputes this interpretation.
Another aspect involves her professional ties with entrepreneur Juan Carlos Barrabés. Gómez had signed letters of support for companies linked to him, which later secured public contracts. The judge considers these relationships as key elements in the influence peddling allegations.
The legal proceedings have significantly impacted Spanish political discourse over the past two years, partly due to Gómez's husband's official role. The trial now opens a new chapter in the case, where the court will determine the validity of the prosecution's claims.
(Associated Medias) - All rights reserved