Former Spanish president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is currently being scrutinized for suspected tax evasion and smuggling after authorities uncovered a collection of around one hundred jewelry pieces worth €1.3 million stored in a safe at his Madrid office, and this development now accompanies an earlier inquiry into alleged influence peddling involving him.
The case, overseen by Judge José Luis Calama of the National Court, emerged on May 19 after a police raid on the former leader’s offices. Among the valuable items, a diamond and emerald necklace from Zambia, valued at €278,000, stood out. According to authorities, Zapatero has been unable to prove the legal origin of the jewelry or the payment of associated tariffs and taxes.
Response and Court Summons
Zapatero’s team claims the jewelry comes from family inheritances and trips taken during his career, and that the total value of the pieces does not exceed €50,000—a statement that contradicts the judicial appraisals. In his upcoming court appearance, scheduled for next week, Zapatero will be required to address these inconsistencies and respond to questions related to a parallel case of alleged mediation in the allocation of €53 million to the airline Plus Ultra, a decision approved by the Spanish government under Pedro Sánchez.
This development is unprecedented, making Zapatero the first former Spanish president to face corruption charges. The case challenges Spain’s judicial system and the public’s trust in its institutions.
