Judge Juan Carlos Peinado ordered Begona Gomez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to surrender her passport and appear in court two times a month until the corruption case reaches a final conclusion, according to a court ruling announced today.

The court also issued directives to all border checkpoints, civilian and military airports, to ensure Gomez strictly complies with the travel ban.

In April, Judge Peinado indicted Gomez on charges of embezzlement, influence peddling, business corruption, and misappropriation of funds. He previously requested an investigation in 4/2024 to determine if Gomez used her position as the prime minister's wife for personal gain.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his wife Begona Gomez in Granada, Spain, 10/2023. _AFP_

The case centers on the establishment and operation of an academic program at Complutense Madrid University, where Gomez was a co-director. Allegations suggest she used public resources and personal connections for private gain. The case originated from a complaint by an anti-corruption organization linked to the far-right.

Upon issuing the indictment, Judge Peinado stated that this academic program became a tool for the personal career development of the individual under investigation.

However, both Gomez and Prime Minister Sanchez deny the allegations. The Spanish prime minister views the situation as a right-wing conspiracy to discredit and destabilize his government.

Last month, former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero also came under investigation for suspected profiteering related to a 2021 bailout package for the small airline Plus Ultra. Zapatero denies the allegations, while Sanchez expressed "full support" for his predecessor and advisor.

Sanchez had pledged to clean up Spanish politics when he took power in 2018. The conservative and far-right opposition are demanding Sanchez resign and call early elections, but the prime minister maintains he will complete his term until 2027.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP)