Madrid, June 21, (dpa/GNA) – The wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, will stand trial on corruption-related charges, a judge investigating the case for the past two years has ruled, according to Spanish media reports on Saturday.
Investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado said, MarÃa Begoña Gómez Fernández must face trial over allegations of corruption, influence peddling and embezzlement, as well as alleged trademark infringements, state broadcaster RTVE and other major Spanish media reported.
Fernández, who often accompanies Sánchez on official trips abroad, has been ordered to report to judicial authorities every two weeks, surrender her passport and remain in Spain pending trial.
The government and Sánchez’s ruling Socialist party (PSOE), accused the judge of acting out of political motives and “obsession,” according to RTVE. Prosecutors had repeatedly sought to have the case dismissed for lack of evidence, since the investigation began in 2024, but Judge Peinado continues to pursue proceedings originally launched by far-right groups.
Peinado also drew attention with remarks comparing the case to corruption scandals, dating back to the reign of King Ferdinand VII of Spain in the early 19th century.
The judge said he had reversed an earlier decision not to confiscate her passport, arguing that bodyguards provided by the state could potentially facilitate her departure from the country, the reports said.
Sánchez’s left-wing minority government has been under pressure, due to a series of corruption investigations. Lengthy corruption cases involving politicians and officials from both governing and opposition parties are a recurring feature of Spain’s highly polarized political landscape.
GNA