Spanish PM's Wife to Stand Trial on Corruption Charges

Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, will face trial on corruption charges. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado made the ruling on Saturday and also barred her from leaving the country.

Gómez is under investigation on suspicion that she used her position as the prime minister's wife to secure business contracts. She denies any wrongdoing.

The judge ordered her to surrender her passport, prohibited her from leaving Spain and required her to report to the court twice a month.

This is one of several corruption scandals that have recently weighed on Sánchez. The prime minister has not been charged in any of the cases and says they are attempts to remove him from office.

The investigation also involves several of his close associates, including the former transport minister and the third-highest-ranking official in the Socialist party. They face allegations of accepting kickbacks in connection with public procurement, energy contracts and the purchase of protective equipment during the pandemic. They deny the allegations.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Supreme Court has announced an investigation into former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero on suspicion of lobbying on behalf of third parties. He, too, denies the allegations.

(Reuters, bak)