SPAIN’S former prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has denied any wrongdoing after being placed under criminal investigation for influence peddling and corruption offences.
Madrid’s National Court is examining Zapatero’s alleged role in the €53-million state rescue of Spanish airline Plus Ultra in March 2021, amid claims the airline misused public funds and funnelled money through an international laundering network linked to Venezuela.
The probe marks the first time in modern Spanish history that a former prime minister has been formally investigated in a criminal case.
READ MORE: Former Spanish prime minister Zapatero investigated for corruption over €53m airline bailout
Zapatero, who led the socialist PSOE government between 2004 and 2011, insisted he had acted lawfully throughout his career.
“I want to reaffirm that all my public and private activity has always been conducted with absolute respect for the law,” he said, adding he had never carried out any ‘action … in relation to Plus Ultra’s bailout.’
Investigators are probing whether the ex-premier used his political connections to sway public bodies in favour of the struggling airline in exchange for illegal commissions.
He is being investigated for alleged document forgery, influence peddling and participation in a criminal organisation.
Police searched Zapatero’s Madrid office and three other premises on Tuesday, while the National Court confirmed he has been summoned to testify on June 2.
Plus Ultra is also under scrutiny over allegations that bailout funds were used to launder money from Venezuela through France, Switzerland and Spain.
The rescue sparked fierce political controversy at the time, with critics arguing the airline had weak finances and questionable links to Venezuelan investors.
The conservative Partido Popular (PP) has repeatedly attacked Zapatero over his long-standing business and diplomatic ties to Venezuela.
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