Spanish judge sends Pedro Sánchez's wife to trial, confiscates passport

A Spanish judge has ordered Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to stand trial on corruption charges. The court also imposed precautionary measures, including confiscating her passport, to prevent her from leaving the country. This judicial order further complicates the precarious situation of Sánchez's minority government, which is already facing a series of scandals.

The case against Gómez centers on the creation of a cátedra at the Complutense University of Madrid, which she co-directed. Prosecutors allege the misuse of public resources and personal contacts to promote private interests. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado mandated that Gómez surrender her passport and report to authorities twice a month until a verdict is reached. The court's resolution, released Saturday, did not set a trial date.

In April, Gómez was formally accused of embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption, and misappropriation of funds. The judge noted that the cátedra "served as a means of private professional development for the investigated person." The current judicial order suggests that "the controversial facts, based on circumstantial evidence, could have led to a unique exploitation of her relational position," referring to her status as the prime minister's wife.

The investigation, initiated in April 2024 following a complaint by an anti-corruption group with far-right ties, also involves Sánchez's brother, David. Judge Peinado rejected the argument that Gómez's police protection would prevent her from fleeing, stating that agents could potentially assist in an escape. The ongoing legal battles cast a shadow over Sánchez's leadership, having previously led him to suspend his duties for several days to consider his position.