Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is being investigated for alleged influence peddling and related crimes, the country's High Court announced on Tuesday.
As part of the investigation, the court searched Zapatero's office in Madrid along with three other premises. The former premier has been summoned to testify on June 2.
Zapatero, who led Spain from 2004 to 2011, is accused of influence peddling after he left office. He has denied any wrongdoing.
This is the first time that a former Spanish prime minister has been placed under formal investigation since the country returned to democracy following the death of longtime dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.