A trial of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s brother for alleged influence peddling in a public sector appointment concluded on Tuesday, one of several corruption cases threatening the Socialist-led government.
David Sánchez is accused of profiting from the creation of a tailor-made position as coordinator of music conservatories in Badajoz, a role later transformed into the head of the southwestern province’s performing arts office.
He and 10 other defendants went on trial in the city of the same name on May 28 for alleged abuse of office and influence peddling. All deny the charges.
The public prosecution said no offence had been proven and requested his acquittal on the final day of proceedings on Tuesday.
David Sánchez, a composer and orchestra director whose career has included training and stops in Saint Petersburg, Toulouse, Tokyo and Madrid, declined to speak.
Prosecutors say the position was created in 2016, before Pedro Sánchez became prime minister in 2018. David Sánchez remained in the post until at least early 2025.
The job was under the authority of the provincial council of Badajoz, which at the time was governed by the Socialists.
Earlier in the trial, the court dropped a charge against David Sánchez of accepting an illegal appointment in 2017, after finding the legal time limit for prosecution had run out.
A series of separate corruption affairs affecting Pedro Sánchez’s family and former top Socialist figures have raised doubts about the viability of his minority left-wing coalition.
The latest high-profile name under suspicion is his mentor and former Socialist premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, under formal investigation for influence peddling and other alleged crimes.
