Zapatero's secretary Gertrudis Alcázar declines to testify in Senate SEPI inquiry

Alcázar declines to testify

Gertrudis Alcázar, who has served as José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's personal secretary for over two decades, appeared before the Senate committee at 11:00 on Monday. She immediately invoked her right to remain silent, citing her status as a suspect in the Plus Ultra case at the Audiencia Nacional.

I hope you understand that I must follow legal advice. My silence should be understood as consistent with my procedural status.

She added that her decision was not a snub to the committee.

The jewels and the investigation

The opposition Partido Popular had summoned Alcázar to explain the origin of jewels valued at 1.3 million euros found in a safe in Zapatero's office on Ferraz street during a police search in May. She had previously told UDEF agents that some items were travel gifts and others came from an inheritance of Sonsoles Espinosa, Zapatero's wife. Alcázar is under formal investigation for alleged influence peddling and money laundering, with the judge seeing indications of her "direct participation in the facts."

Political reaction

PP senator Rocío Dívar expressed regret at the lack of answers but acknowledged Alcázar's right to a defense, noting that some questions did not affect that right. The committee is examining deficiencies and alleged irregularities in the management of SEPI, the state industrial holding company.

Second witness on Delcy Rodríguez visit

Later on Monday, at 16:00, the committee will hear from Jesús María Gómez Martín, who was the police commissioner at Madrid-Barajas airport in January 2020 when a plane carrying then-Venezuelan vice president Delcy Rodríguez landed. The PP wants to question him about the circumstances of that visit and about possible "favors and gratifications" mentioned in early court proceedings of the Plus Ultra case.

1. Jun 29, 11:00 AMGertrudis Alcázar appears before the Senate committee and declines to testify.
2. Jun 29, 04:00 PMJesús María Gómez Martín testifies about the 2020 Delcy Rodríguez visit.