Spanish PM’s wife ordered to stand trial on corruption charges and surrender passport

In a ruling issued on Saturday, investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado ordered Gómez to surrender her passport, appear before a court every two weeks and remain in Spain until the case is resolved. The judge said the restrictions were necessary because he considered her a potential flight risk.

According to the court order, authorities will ensure compliance with the travel ban through border controls across the country.

‘Instructions shall be issued to all border posts and civilian and military airports’ to guarantee that Gómez does not leave Spain, the ruling stated.

Sources close to Gómez told El País newspaper that she intends to appeal against the restrictions imposed by the court, including the confiscation of her passport.

In the court order, according to Spanish media, the judge has even stated that police officers who are regularly tasked with escorting Gómez, ‘could help her flee Spain’ – a suggestion that could backfire and count in her favour in an appeal.

No trial date has yet been announced.

The case centres on allegations that Gómez used her position as the prime minister’s wife to obtain advantages for private interests. Judge Peinado formally charged her in April with offences including influence peddling, corruption in business dealings, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds. ALSO READ: Spain’s public prosecutor’s office urges dismissal of case against PM’s wife.

Investigators are examining the creation and management of a university chair at Madrid’s Complutense University that Gómez co-directed, as well as allegations involving the use of public resources, government connections and public funds.

The judge has accused her of influencing government contracts awarded to a group of technology companies, misusing public funds in the hiring of a consultant and making inappropriate use of software while working as a professor at a public university.

Peinado also ruled that a businessman who allegedly benefited from government contracts and the consultant who worked for Gómez should face trial.

Gómez has consistently denied any wrongdoing. ALSO READ: Begoña Gómez, wife of Spain’s PM, denies embezzlement in new court hearing.

The investigation began in April 2024 following a complaint lodged by the pressure group Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), an organisation known for pursuing a number of legal actions linked to right-wing causes. The case has also been backed by groups on the far-right that oppose Sánchez’s socialist party (PSOE).

The prime minister has repeatedly dismissed the allegations against his wife as part of a politically motivated campaign by right-wing opponents seeking to bring down his government. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez: ‘There are judges doing politics and politicians trying to do justice’.

Sánchez, who has led Spain’s left-wing administration since 2018 and has not been accused of wrongdoing in the case, has argued that the legal proceedings form part of a broader effort to force him from office. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez vows not to quit, and presents 15-point anti-corruption plan.

The ruling immediately intensified Spain’s already heated political climate.

Government figures criticised the decision as politically motivated, while the PSOE described the judge’s move as ‘an absolute scandal for democracy’.

‘Begoña Gómez is innocent,’ the party said. ‘For two years now, she has been the target of a political and judicial witch hunt. Today’s development is just the latest escalation.’

Spain’s EFE news agency said that Moncloa, the prime minister’s residence, issued a statement to say Judge Peinado’s order against Gómez confirms the persecution and obsession of a judge who ‘only heeds political motives’.

Spain’s main’s right-wing opposition group, the People’s Party (PP), seized on the ruling to renew demands for an early general election and increase pressure on Sánchez’s minority coalition government.

‘Lawmakers and the architects of our constitution could never have imagined that the threats to our democracy could originate from the Spanish government itself,’ said Miguel Tellado, secretary-general of the PP.

‘Now we see how the government attacks judges, prosecutors and the media while attempting to silence opposition parties,’ he said. ‘This is unthinkable in any modern democracy.’

The case against Gómez is one of several corruption investigations involving Sánchez’s political allies, relatives and former associates that have placed mounting pressure on the government ahead of a general election due by next year.

Several close allies of the prime minister, including a senior PSOE official and Sánchez’s former transport minister, are under investigation in separate cases involving alleged kickbacks linked to public works contracts, oil and gas deals and the procurement of face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic. Those under investigation deny any wrongdoing. ALSO READ: Spanish PM denies any knowledge of suspected scheme targeting corruption probes.

Separately, former socialist prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared before a judge this week as part of another investigation examining his alleged involvement in a government bailout for airline Plus Ultra. Spain’s High Court has also said it is investigating claims that Zapatero headed a network that profited from lobbying public authorities on behalf of third parties, including the airline. ALSO READ: Zapatero corruption probe widens as daughters and secretary are named suspects.

The former prime minister denies all allegations, including questions relating to luxury jewellery discovered during a police raid on his office. ALSO READ: Spain’s former PM Zapatero denies wrongdoing after historic corruption investigation hearing.

Together, the cases have created a politically explosive backdrop for Sánchez, one of Europe’s few remaining left-leaning national leaders, as he faces growing legal and political challenges on multiple fronts. ALSO READ: Andalusia leaves Sánchez politically weakened as Spain edges further towards a PP-Vox era.