Spain: Prosecutors call for the acquittal of Sánchez’s wife

The Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office has called for the acquittal of Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, his aide at Moncloa, Cristina Alvarez, and the businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés, in the case being investigated by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, which involves the ‘first lady’. The investigating judge alleges that Gomez is suspected of influence peddling, corruption in business, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds, in connection with a co-directed master’s programme at the Complutense University of Madrid. Alvarez is charged with the same offences, whilst Barrabés faces charges of influence peddling and corruption. In its final submissions, cited today by the Efe news agency, the Public Prosecutor’s Office maintains that ‘no offence has been committed’ in the conduct of the accused, as they did not receive ‘any form of remuneration or additional benefit’ for the Chair in Competitive Social Transformation at the Complutense University, co-directed by Gomez until 2024. Furthermore, the relationship with the university began in 2012, six years before Pedro Sánchez took office as Prime Minister.

As for the letters of support signed by Gomez for a project by the Barrabes group, the Public Prosecutor’s Office notes that this was one of 35 letters of support gathered from social organisations and that there is no evidence of any favourable treatment. The charge of misappropriation of the university software ‘Transforma Tsc’ is also dismissed by the prosecution, as the programme belongs to the Complutense University, has never been commercially exploited nor generated any profits, and was intended for free use by businesses. Finally, regarding Cristina Alvarez, the Public Prosecutor’s Office notes that her role as assistant to the Prime Minister’s spouse falls within the scope of current legislation and is a position that has existed in Spanish governments since the return of democracy to Spain in 1978.

At the same time, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has also challenged Judge Peinado’s decision to withdraw the passports of Gomez and Alvarez and to prohibit them from leaving Spain on the grounds of an alleged risk of absconding. In the appeal, the Public Prosecutor describes the measure as ‘unjustified, unfounded and disproportionate’, ruling out the risk of flight and criticising the judge for the ‘lack of rigour and moderation’ with which he allegedly justified the measure, arguing that it is based on unfounded information, such as the alleged acquisition of Dominican citizenship by the Prime Minister’s wife.