Zapatero calls seized €1.3m jewelry a 'personal courtesy gift' but refuses to name the giver
The former Spanish PM told TVE the 103 pieces found in his office safe were a 'courtesy gift from many years ago' but declined to say who gave them, when, or why.
The interview
Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared on TVE's Mañaneros program on Thursday and addressed the 103 jewelry pieces seized from his office safe, calling them "a personal courtesy gift from many years ago." He declined to identify the giver, the date, or the circumstances, insisting he would first explain to the judge. "I must do so because it is my commitment and my duty," he said.
It is a personal courtesy gift from many years ago.
Zapatero said the jewels "had no use or destination" and no "patrimonial intent." He added they were kept with family jewelry belonging to him and his wife, Sonsoles Espinosa. He questioned the initial expert valuation of €1.3 million, saying it would be "subject to contradiction." When asked whether accepting such a gift while in office could have violated the good governance code approved during his tenure, he replied that it was "interpretable."
The investigation
The jewelry was discovered on May 19 during a search of Zapatero's office by the Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF). That same day, Judge José Luis Calama of the Audiencia Nacional charged the former prime minister with smuggling and tax fraud in a separate piece of the Plus Ultra case. The searches also extended to a company owned by Zapatero's daughters and another linked to a Venezuelan family. Zapatero testified before the judge on June 17 but refused to answer questions about the jewels.
They were there and nothing more.
The 103 pieces were found alongside other jewelry from his family. Zapatero insisted he had no intention to defraud and that "the last thing I thought about was the patrimonial value." He maintained that the jewels had no connection to any political activity.
Political reactions
ERC spokesperson Gabriel Rufián sharply criticized Zapatero's explanation. "A courtesy gift is a Christmas basket," Rufián said, questioning the defense that the jewels were a personal gift without patrimonial intent. He admitted he is not objective when speaking about Zapatero, given their good relationship, but said the former president offers "few explanations." Rufián saw no alternative to the PSOE's support for Zapatero.
A courtesy gift is a Christmas basket.
The government, through Moncloa sources, asked for "respect" for Zapatero's presumption of innocence and declined to comment on the jewelry. Officials confirmed the government's support for the former president and insisted on absolute respect for the judicial process. They said Zapatero would give a detailed explanation to the judge and expressed concern about leaks of personal agendas, which they said violate fundamental rights and fuel parallel trials. The PSOE will continue to defend the rule of law.
The Plus Ultra connection
The jewelry case is a separate piece of the broader Plus Ultra investigation. On Tuesday, Julio Martínez Martínez, described as Zapatero's payer, testified that the former prime minister had anticipated the government would grant a bailout to the airline Plus Ultra. Zapatero, in his June 17 testimony, denied any involvement in allegedly criminal activities related to that case.
- UDEF searches Zapatero's office, finds 103 jewelry pieces valued at €1.3 million; Judge Calama charges him with smuggling and tax fraud.
- Zapatero testifies before Judge Calama but refuses to answer questions about the jewelry.
- Julio Martínez testifies that Zapatero anticipated the government would grant the Plus Ultra airline bailout.
- Zapatero tells TVE the jewels were a personal courtesy gift, declines to name the giver.
