Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero appeared before a High Court judge on Wednesday and Thursday to testify regarding an influence-peddling probe. Zapatero, who led Spain from 2004 to 2011, has become the first former or serving Spanish head of government to be declared a suspect in a corruption investigation.
The investigation, which began formally last month, focuses on allegations that Zapatero intervened to secure a state bailout for the small airline Plus Ultra in 2021. During a three-hour hearing before Judge Calama on Wednesday, the former premier defended his innocence and stated that he never intervened on behalf of the airline.
Zapatero is also answering questions regarding the possession of valuable jewelry discovered during a police raid of his Ferraz office. The jewelry is valued at over one million euros.