The wife of the Spanish Prime Minister will stand trial for crimes including traffic of influence, corruption, and embezzlement of public funds, and has been banned from leaving the country alongside other restrictive measures, a judge ordered today.
The decision by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado was announced today following a preliminary hearing held on Monday, during which “popular accusations,” such as the organization Hazte Oír, requested precautionary measures due to a perceived flight risk.
Specifically, Begoña Gómez, the wife of the Spanish government president Pedro Sánchez, will face trial for the crimes of traffic of influence, business corruption in the private sector, misappropriation, and embezzlement of public funds.
As a result, Begoña Gómez has had her passport confiscated, is prohibited from leaving the national territory, and is required to appear in court on a biweekly basis.
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Cristina Álvarez, an advisor to Begoña Gómez, will also stand trial for the same charges and will be subject to the exact same restrictive measures.
In the judicial order, the judge determined that these measures will remain in effect “for the duration of the proceedings and until a final resolution is issued.”
Furthermore, the judge has also ordered businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés to stand trial for the crimes of traffic of influence and business corruption in the private sector.
