Former Spanish PM Zapatero to face judge over €53m airline bailout and undeclared €1.3m jewels
Spain’s former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appears before the National Court this week to answer charges of influence peddling and money laundering, while also explaining the origin of €1.3 million in jewellery found in his office safe.
The Plus Ultra rescue
The investigation centres on a €53 million state loan granted in March 2021 to airline Plus Ultra, a small carrier with Venezuelan ties, from a €10 billion fund set up by Pedro Sánchez’s government for companies hit by the pandemic. Spanish prosecutors allege that Zapatero led “a stable, hierarchical structure of influence peddling” that secured the public money for the firm. The former prime minister, who denies wrongdoing, is also suspected of using front companies and falsified documents to launder funds, some of which allegedly involved his daughters as administrators.
WhatsApp messages obtained by the court show Zapatero’s friend, businessman Julio Martínez, informing Plus Ultra’s largest shareholder, Rodolfo Reyes, in late February 2021 that the loan was likely to be approved at the 9 March cabinet meeting. After the decision, Reyes wrote: “Saludos amigo. Un abrazo grande. Ya estamos en las noticias. Good job!!!!!” Three days later the deal was confirmed with a message reading “Done!!! Firmado.”
- Julio Martínez tells Plus Ultra’s main shareholder that the cabinet is likely to approve the loan on 9 March.
- Pedro Sánchez’s cabinet approves a €53 million loan to Plus Ultra.
- Shareholder confirms the deal with a 'Done!!! Firmado' message.
- Zapatero is formally notified that he is under investigation.
- Zapatero testifies on the bailout and the origin of the jewellery.
The jewellery find
During a search of Zapatero’s office, investigators discovered a cache of jewellery in a safe that was later valued at more than €1.3 million by Madrid auction house and jeweller Ansorena. The former prime minister’s representative had initially described the pieces as worth between €30,000 and €50,000, but the official appraisal put the figure orders of magnitude higher. The items were never declared as assets, prompting additional charges of tax fraud and smuggling.
In the party there is a lot of uncertainty about what might happen and the feeling, as I was told the other day, is that the fall of the myth is already irreversible.
- Initial claim by Zapatero’s representative
- 50000 €
- Ansorena appraisal
- 1300000 €
Political fallout
The PSOE has publicly backed Zapatero, with party spokeswoman Montse Mínguez saying they are “confident” he will tell the truth and defend himself against all accusations. She stressed the presumption of innocence and said the party wants to hear his version. Privately, however, senior figures have voiced disappointment and a sense that Zapatero may have deceived them.
The junior coalition partner Sumar, through MP Tesh Sidi, has linked the jewellery to possible lobbying by Morocco. Sidi asked whether the gifts could be connected to Spain’s 2022 shift on Western Sahara, when Sánchez recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the territory. Sumar has formally requested the foreign ministry to disclose all gifts received by former prime ministers.
I would personally like to know if those jewels come from the Kingdom of Morocco, very well known for pressure through lobbying.
Court proceedings
Zapatero was notified of the investigation on 18 May. He is scheduled to appear before National Court judge José Luis Calama on 17 and 18 June. His legal team sought to postpone the testimony about the origin of the jewellery, asking for more time to gather documentation, but the judge rejected the request. The government has avoided calling for the return of the jewels until Zapatero explains their provenance in court, citing the fact that the valuation was known through a “leak” and not through official channels.
Zapatero is going to give all the explanations.
