Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has been placed under investigation for alleged influence-peddling and other related crimes. Spain's highest criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional, is probing the former leader over a state bailout of a Venezuela-linked airline during the Covid pandemic.
As part of the investigation, police searched Zapatero's office in Madrid along with three other premises. Zapatero, who served as prime minister from 2004 to 2011, has been ordered to appear before the court to testify on June 2.
This marks the first time a former Spanish prime minister has been placed under formal investigation since the country returned to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. The case also puts additional pressure on current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is dogged by corruption probes.
Zapatero has denied any wrongdoing regarding the accusations of influence peddling after he left office.