Spain: Former Transport Minister convicted of corruption

Spain's former Transport Minister, José Luis Ábalos, faces a 24-year prison sentence after being convicted of corruption by the Supreme Court. The newspaper El País reported the verdict, which represents the first judicial ruling in a wave of corruption scandals affecting the governing Socialist Party.

The conviction comes as investigations continue into alleged corruption involving close associates and family members of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Spanish police recently searched the headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) as part of an investigation into corruption allegations against a former party member involved with a state-owned company. Details remain limited due to ongoing inquiries.

Further legal scrutiny extends to former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who is being investigated for alleged influence peddling and other potential offenses related to a state bailout of an airline. Zapatero has denied any wrongdoing. Separately, Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, is facing charges including embezzlement, influence peddling, and fraud. A judge has prohibited her from traveling abroad and requires her to report to authorities twice a month as part of the ongoing proceedings.

Gómez was indicted in April after a two-year corruption investigation. Prosecutors allege that a university chair was specifically created for her, which she allegedly used for personal professional development. Both Gómez and Sánchez have vehemently denied all accusations. The article indicates that it will be updated with further developments.