Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s brother went on trial Thursday, accused of receiving preferential treatment in obtaining a public-sector job, in the latest case to have tainted the Socialist leader’s government.
The trial started a day after police searched the Madrid headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party as part of an investigation into alleged efforts to obstruct judicial proceedings involving the party.
David Sánchez, a composer and orchestra conductor who trained and worked in Toulouse, Tokyo and Madrid, is accused of benefiting from the creation of a tailor-made position as coordinator of music conservatories in the southwestern province of Badajoz.
The role was later transformed into head of the province’s performing arts office.
He and 10 other defendants are on trial for alleged abuse of office and influence peddling. All deny the charges.
Prosecutors say the position was created in 2016, before Pedro Sánchez became prime minister in 2018.
David Sanchez remained in the post until at least early 2025, according to court documents.
The job was under the authority of the provincial council of Badajoz, which at the time was governed by the Socialists.
Prosecutors allege that Sanchez failed to meet the requirements of the position and did not regularly show up for work.
During the opening hearing, defence lawyer Emilio Cortés requested that proceedings be annulled, alleging violations of fundamental rights.
He argued that parts of the prosecution case were “a pure fabrication” motivated by politics and that the investigation amounted to an improper “fishing expedition”.
Cortes said the main alleged offence, related to accepting an illegal appointment, had exceeded the statute of limitations.
The trial is scheduled to run until June 10th.
The case adds to a growing list of corruption-related proceedings involving people in Pedro Sanchez’s political orbit, heightening pressure on his minority coalition government.
His wife, Begoña Gómez, is under investigation in a separate corruption case.
His former right-hand man, ex-transport minister José Luis Ábalos, is awaiting a verdict in his own corruption trial, which concluded earlier this month.
Last week, a court placed former Socialist prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, a Sánchez ally, under formal investigation for influence peddling and other alleged crimes.
Pedro Sánchez has rejected opposition calls for an early general election.
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