Spanish Police Sweep Through Zapatero’s Office as the Plus Ultra Probe Widens
Spain’s Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) has searched an office linked to former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero as part of the ongoing investigation into the controversial bailout of airline Plus Ultra. The operation marks a significant escalation in the judicial probe examining alleged influence peddling and possible criminal activities surrounding the rescue package approved during the pandemic.
According to investigators, the search was authorized within the framework of a broader inquiry led by Spain’s National Court into suspected irregularities tied to the allocation of public funds to the airline. Officers reportedly seized documentation and electronic material considered relevant to the case.
The investigation centers on whether political and business leaders may have exerted undue influence to benefit Plus Ultra, which was granted millions of euros in public assistance despite concerns raised at the time about the airline’s financial stability and strategic relevance. Officials are additionally reviewing the involvement of consulting firms and intermediaries reportedly linked to the operation.
Zapatero has denied any illegal conduct and insists he never used his former political position to influence government decisions related to the airline bailout. The former Socialist leader maintains that all his professional activities have been lawful and transparent.
The police action promptly ignited political debate across Spain, as opposition parties sharpened their accusations against the government and pressed for a comprehensive explanation of the former prime minister’s supposed ties to the case, while members of the Socialist Party urged respect for the presumption of innocence throughout the ongoing investigation.
The Plus Ultra affair continues to generate major political and judicial repercussions in Spain, particularly because of the high-profile figures now connected to the inquiry and the scrutiny surrounding the management of pandemic-era public funds.
Source: OKDIARIO – https://okdiario.com/espana/udef-registra-despacho-jose-luis-rodriguez-zapatero-plus-ultra-16826260
