A Madrid judge has ordered Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to stand trial on corruption-related charges. Multiple outlets report that the case stems from allegations that Gómez used her position to influence government-related work contracts, including contracts connected to technology firms. The judge’s ruling also includes conditions tied to the ongoing proceedings.
Sources agree that Gómez must surrender her passport and is barred from leaving Spain. The Local and other reports say she is required to appear in court regularly while the case moves forward. PBS NewsHour and Bloomberg add that the judge cites further allegations, including misuse of public funds in hiring arrangements, as well as concerns involving software use when she worked as a university professor.
Gómez denies wrongdoing, according to outlets including The Hindu, and the investigation is described as one among several corruption probes affecting Spain’s governing People’s Socialist Party and Sánchez. The judge’s decision moves the matter from investigation to a formal trial, with a trial by jury mentioned in some reports.
