Zapatero investigated by Spain's High Court

Spain's High Court said on Tuesday, May 19, that former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is under investigation for alleged influence peddling and related crimes tied to the 2021 bailout of airline Plus Ultra. The court said Zapatero's Madrid office was searched and that he was summoned to testify on June 2. Reuters, AP and other outlets reported that the case adds to a widening set of corruption probes touching figures around Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialist orbit. (usnews.com) The investigation centers on whether political influence was used to help secure public support for Plus Ultra during the pandemic. (euronews.com) Several reports said the court is examining alleged money laundering alongside influence peddling, with the airline rescue now back at the center of Spain's political debate. Zapatero has denied wrongdoing, according to multiple reports. ### Why is the Plus Ultra bailout at the center of the case? The €53 million bailout of Plus Ultra in 2021 is the core transaction under scrutiny. Politico, El País and Reuters said investigators are examining whether the state rescue was obtained through an alleged influence network that sought economic benefit from dealings with public bodies. (usnews.com) Plus Ultra was a small airline with links cited in several reports to Venezuela. AP said the court is looking at alleged influence peddling and other possible crimes tied to that bailout, while AFP-based coverage said the suspected offenses were committed in connection with the rescue of a small airline. (usnews.com) ### What exactly did the court say about Zapatero? Spain's High Court said Zapatero is being investigated for alleged influence peddling and related crimes, Reuters reported. El País said the judge described him as the alleged leader of a "stable and hierarchical" structure aimed at obtaining economic benefits through intermediation and influence before public bodies, mainly for Plus Ultra. (politico.eu) June 2 is the date the court set for Zapatero's testimony, according to Reuters and Euronews. The court also searched four premises, including his Madrid office, Reuters reported. (apnews.com) ### How does this connect to Pedro Sánchez's government? Pedro Sánchez was not named as a target in the Zapatero case, but Reuters said the investigation lands as his government is already under pressure from other corruption probes involving people in his circle. Politico reported separately that a Spanish court charged a key Sánchez ally with money laundering in a related development the same day. (usnews.com) José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero remains a prominent Socialist figure and an ally of Sánchez, according to Reuters and AP. That political proximity is one reason the case has drawn immediate attention beyond the legal allegations themselves. (euronews.com) ### What is known about Zapatero's response? Zapatero has denied wrongdoing, The New York Times and other outlets reported. Reuters said his office did not immediately respond to its request for comment, while other coverage said he rejected the accusations as unfounded. (usnews.com) The case is still at the investigation stage. In Spain, being placed under formal investigation does not itself amount to a conviction, and the next procedural marker in this case is Zapatero's scheduled June 2 court appearance. (usnews.com) ### What happens next in the court process? June 2 is the next fixed date in the case. Reuters and Euronews said Zapatero has been summoned to testify before Spain's High Court, while reporting from Politico and El País indicates investigators are still tracing the alleged role of other participants linked to the Plus Ultra rescue. (nytimes.com) Spain's High Court will determine after that testimony whether to deepen the case, narrow it or move toward additional charges against named participants. For now, the clearest next step is the June 2 hearing in Madrid involving Zapatero and the judges handling the Plus Ultra investigation. (euronews.com)