Begoña Gomez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is set to face a jury trial on charges of influence peddling and embezzlement, following a decision made by a court on Thursday. This development marks another setback for the government, which has been embroiled in investigations and corruption scandals for several months, according to reports from Reuters.
Gomez’s legal team has appealed the court’s decision, requesting the Superior Court of Madrid to dismiss the accusations she contests and to lift other measures imposed against her by a lower court last month.
The Madrid court has dropped a third charge of business corruption against Gomez. Additionally, it has lifted restrictions that previously prohibited her from leaving the country, mandated regular court appearances, and required her to surrender her passport.
However, the court has upheld most of the case against her, presenting a significant legal challenge for the family and associates of the socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Prime Minister’s Office Claims Gomez is Innocent
In light of these developments, Sánchez, who briefly considered resigning in April 2024 after the judge Juan Carlos Peinado initiated an investigation against Gomez, has publicly defended his family, asserting that the accusations are politically motivated and orchestrated by his adversaries.
The Prime Minister’s office released a statement on Thursday declaring, “Begoña Gomez is innocent.” Sánchez further emphasized that anyone familiar with the investigation knows it is politically motivated, stemming from a false accusation made by a far-right organization and aimed solely at harassing and persecuting the Prime Minister’s wife.
Earlier this week, a court sentenced Sánchez’s brother for administrative misconduct, banning him from holding public office for nine years.
Significance of a Jury Trial in Spain
The ruling on Thursday confirms that Gomez will be tried by a jury of citizens, a procedure in Spain reserved for a limited number of offenses, including influence peddling. Data from the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), the governing body of Spain’s judicial system, indicates that juries have issued convictions in the vast majority of cases, with a conviction rate around 90% over the past decade and approximately 89.5% in 2024.
Under Spanish criminal law, influence peddling committed by an individual carries a prison sentence ranging from six months to two years, while embezzlement can result in sentences of up to eight years in cases with aggravating factors.
