Spanish PM to testify against wife in graft case

The investigation over alleged corruption and influence peddling has infuriated Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish PM who has characterised the allegations as an effort to undermine him and his left-wing government

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will testify on 30 July in a preliminary corruption inquiry into his wife Begona Gomez’s business ties, a Madrid court said on Monday, 22 July.

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado will hear Spanish PM as a “witness” at his official residence at 11:00 am on July 30, a court statement said.

He will be questioned over suspected influence peddling by his wife, the court said.

The investigation over alleged corruption and influence peddling has infuriated Sanchez, who has characterised the allegations as an effort to undermine him and his left-wing government. Gomez on Friday invoked her right to remain silent under questioning by a judge.

Gomez had briefly appeared before the same judge on 5 July, but the hearing was suspended after her lawyer said they had “not been notified” about all the complaints against her and asked for time to study them.

The investigation began on April 16 following a complaint by Manos Limpias (“Clean Hands”), an anti-graft NGO linked to the far-right, alleging corruption in the private sector and influence peddling, while admitting its claims were based on media reports. A second complaint, citing influence peddling, was filed by Hazte Oir (“Make Yourself Heard”), an ultra-Catholic pressure group with far-right ties.

Sanchez has repeatedly insisted his wife has done nothing wrong, with his justice minister, Felix Bolanos, on Friday coming out in her defense.

Source: Asaaseomline.com