José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Investigated in Plus Ultra Case

Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is scheduled to appear in court on June 2 as an investigated party in the Plus Ultra airline case. The investigation, led by National Court Judge José Luis Calama, centers on allegations of money laundering, criminal organization, influence peddling, and document forgery. This development marks the first instance of a former Spanish president being investigated for corruption-related offenses.

The charges stem from a branch of the Plus Ultra investigation focusing on alleged money laundering tied to the Venezuelan-capitalized airline's rescue. Initial reports from 'El Confidencial' have been confirmed by ABC through sources close to the inquiry.

Deepening Investigation

Investigators reportedly intensified their focus on Zapatero following the analysis of devices belonging to Julio Martínez Martínez, a key figure in the case. The Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) of the National Police traced communications between the former Prime Minister and Martínez Martínez, suggesting a suspected mechanism for money laundering. As part of the ongoing probe, UDEF is reportedly conducting searches of offices belonging to companies linked to the alleged scheme, including Zapatero's former office.

This separate line of inquiry has been scrutinizing Zapatero and his business connections for several months. Law enforcement agents have reportedly gathered evidence presented to Judge Calama, leading to the decision to open this specific investigation.

The Plus Ultra Case Background

The broader Plus Ultra investigation originated from a complaint filed by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office in 2024. This complaint was prompted by alerts from anti-corruption investigation units in Switzerland and France. The UDEF's work has focused on determining if there was an "improper use" of the 53 million euros from the rescue package provided by the State Society of Industrial Participations (SEPI). It is suspected that these funds might have been used to repay loans to other Venezuelan companies not directly linked to the airline's rescue operation. This alleged money laundering scheme is believed to have involved individuals from France, Switzerland, and Spain.

In December, the president of Plus Ultra, Julio Martínez Sola, and its CEO, Roberto Roselli, were arrested. The current investigation involving Zapatero examines whether his "global advisory" work, for which he invoiced Julio Martínez Martínez (an advisor to Plus Ultra from 2020), was connected to the airline's rescue, particularly from the year the rescue took place.

Zapatero's Financial Dealings

While Zapatero is not a public official, and thus cannot be charged with prevarication in dealings favoring the Venezuelan-capitalized airline, sources indicated to ABC in January that his actions could constitute influence peddling. This charge, along with criminal organization, is crucial for the National Court to handle the investigation.

Zapatero has acknowledged invoicing nearly half a million euros to Julio Martínez's company, Análisis Relevante, between 2020 and 2023. He maintains that his work was unrelated to the Plus Ultra rescue and did not involve illegal commissions. However, the investigation specifically scrutinizes this claim, as well as the destination of the funds he received for his alleged advisory services. This includes reviewing the financial movements of his close relatives, such as his daughters. Initially, investigators also looked into whether the former president had properly paid taxes, though ultimately, no tax offense has been imputed in this investigation.

Datos clave

This development is significant for Football Español readers as it touches upon high-profile political figures in Spain. While not directly related to football, major news regarding former national leaders, especially concerning allegations of corruption, often captures wider public and media attention, reflecting on the broader political and social landscape of the country.

Fuente: abc.es, https://www.abc.es/espana/zapatero-primer-presidente-gobierno-imputado-blanqueo-plus-20260519090841-nt.html