Spanish judge questions Zapatero’s explanation for seized jewellery

Spanish investigators seized jewellery from the office of former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero during a search on May 19.

The search is part of an inquiry into alleged influence-peddling linked to the government’s €53 million rescue of airline Plus Ultra after the pandemic.

The judge later added possible tax and smuggling offences to the investigation, after the jewellery was initially valued at €1.3 million.

Zapatero says the collection was a personal gift from Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah during an official visit to Madrid in June 2007.

He argues that, because the gift dates back about two decades, any offence would be time-barred.

The judge and prosecutors are reportedly sceptical, noting that Zapatero took months to explain the jewellery’s origin and has not provided official confirmation from Saudi authorities.

The judge is awaiting an expert assessment that could establish when the jewellery was set.