The Public Prosecutor’s Office is planning to appeal the summons of Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Government of Spain, as a witness in the case opened against his wife Begoña Gómez for alleged offenses of influence peddling and corruption in business dealings. The prosecutor intends to take this step after Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, of the Instruction Court 41 of Madrid, ruled that he will visit La Moncloa palace on July 30th to question the head of the Government. This decision comes after Begoña Gómez appeared in court and chose not to testify, leading the judge to agree to the request made by several parties, including the right-wing party Vox, to question Pedro Sánchez.
According to legal sources, the parties involved must first appeal to the judge before being able to raise their arguments to the Provincial Court of Madrid to determine whether Peinado’s decision should be corrected or upheld. It is expected that the defense of Begoña Gómez, led by former socialist minister Antonio Camacho, will also appeal to oppose the testimony of the Prime Minister. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has been critical of this judicial process since its inception, even calling for its closure back in April. The prosecution has raised concerns about the lack of clarity in the investigation against Begoña Gómez and has criticized the progress of the case so far.
In addition to appealing the summoning of Pedro Sánchez, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has also challenged the indictment of businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés, who has been linked to the President’s wife in relation to public contracts received from various government entities, including the Madrid City Council. However, two reports by the Guardia Civil have not found any irregularities in these contracts. The prosecution considers the judge’s decision to indict Barrabés as “null” and a violation of his rights. The prosecutor has argued that any decision made against the businessman should have a clear and reasoned basis, especially considering the lack of evidence presented so far.
The judge justified Barrabés’ indictment based on the reports of the Guardia Civil and the testimony given by the businessman. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has stressed the need for a thorough and well-reasoned judicial resolution when directing a case against an individual, especially in a case with such high profile individuals involved. As the legal proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how the appeals and challenges raised by the prosecution and the defense will impact the overall outcome of the investigation. The case continues to garner attention and speculation in the Spanish public and media.
