Sawt Falasteen - Spanish judge bans PM's wife from leaving country

The case is one of several corruption affairs that have embroiled the Socialist leader’s family and former allies, threatening to topple his minority coalition government.

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado ordered Gomez to surrender her passport, barred her from leaving Spain and required her to report to court twice a month pending a verdict, citing a risk of flight.

The judge said in his 84-page ruling that "instructions shall be issued to all border posts and civilian and military airports" to ensure Gomez complies with the ban on leaving the country.

No date for the trial has been set.

Peinado in April formally charged Gomez with embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds.

He opened the investigation in April 2024 to determine whether Gomez had exploited her position as Sanchez’s wife for private gain, which she and the prime minister deny.

The case centres on the creation and management of a chair at Madrid’s Complutense University that was co-directed by Gomez, as well as the alleged use of public resources and personal connections to advance private interests.

"The chair served as a means of private professional development for the person under investigation," the judge wrote when he charged Gomez.

- 'Dreadful day' -

The case originated from a complaint filed by an anti-corruption group with far-right ties.

"Today is a dreadful day for those of us who believe in justice," Justice Minister Felix Bolanos wrote on X in response to the judge's ruling, adding "truth will ultimately prevail".

Socialist party officials criticised the decision to bar Gomez from leaving the country, calling it exaggerated.

In his 84-page ruling, Peinado rejected the argument that the police who routinely provide protection to Gomez would prevent her from fleeing.

Those officers "could either on their own initiative or following orders from their superiors" help "facilitate an escape that would make it impossible for the accused to be available to justice", he wrote.

When the investigation was opened into Gomez in 2024, Sanchez temporarily suspended his public duties for several days to consider whether to remain in office.

Sanchez -- one of Europe's few remaining leftist leaders -- has dismissed the allegations against his wife as an attempt by the right wing to undermine his government.

- Other corruption cases -

Spain's former Socialist prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was placed under formal investigation last month suspected of influence peddling in connection with bailout of small airline Plus Ultra in 2021.

Zapatero has denied the allegations, while Sanchez has expressed "full support" for his mentor.

Verdicts are also due in separate corruption trials of Sanchez's former right-hand man Jose Luis Abalos and his brother David Sanchez.

Abalos, a former Socialist heavyweight and transport minister who helped propel Sanchez to power in 2018, is accused of pocketing kickbacks for handing out public contracts worth millions of euros for sanitary equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic.

David Sanchez, a composer and orchestra director, is accused of receiving preferential treatment in obtaining a public-sector job.

The cases have embarrassed Sanchez, who came to power vowing to clean up Spanish politics after ousting a conservative Popular Party (PP) government in a no-confidence vote over its own graft scandal.

Sanchez, a canny politician famous for coming out on top in dire situations, has repeatedly rejected opposition calls to step down and call early elections over the mounting corruption scandals.

He has not been named in any of the cases.

H.Nasr--SF-PST