Spanish PM’s wife Begona Gomez barred from leaving country by court
A Spanish court has ordered Begona Gomez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, to stand trial by jury on corruption-related charges and barred her from leaving Spain.According to a court order released on Saturday, Judge Juan Carlos Peinado instructed Gomez to surrender her passport and appear before the court twice a month until a verdict is reached. The court also directed authorities to enforce the travel restrictions nationwide.The ruling stated that “instructions shall be issued to all border posts and civilian and military airports” to ensure Gomez complies with the ban on leaving the country.No date has yet been set for the trial, which is expected to attract intense political scrutiny.The case is one of several corruption investigations and trials involving individuals close to Sanchez that have fuelled opposition calls for his resignation and early elections.Peinado formally charged Gomez in April with embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds. The investigation centres on the creation and management of a chair at Madrid’s Complutense University, co-directed by Gomez, as well as allegations that public resources and personal connections were used to advance private interests.When filing the charges, the judge wrote that the university chair “served as a means of private professional development for the person under investigation”. The probe was opened in April 2024 to determine whether Gomez had used her position as the prime minister’s wife for private gain. Gomez has consistently denied wrongdoing, while Sanchez has rejected the allegations and described them as part of an effort by political opponents to undermine his government.The investigation originated from a complaint filed by an anti-corruption group with far-right ties.The case has had major political repercussions since it began. After the investigation was launched in 2024, Sanchez temporarily suspended his public duties for several days while considering whether to remain in office.The prime minister is also facing pressure from other corruption-related cases involving former allies and family members. Verdicts are pending in separate trials involving his former transport minister and close political ally Jose Luis Abalos, as well as his brother, David Sanchez.Last month, former Socialist prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was placed under formal investigation over suspected influence peddling linked to the 2021 bailout of airline Plus Ultra. Zapatero has denied the allegations, and Sanchez has expressed “full support” for his political mentor.
