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.
Investigators indicated that the search had been approved as part of a wider probe overseen by Spain’s National Court into alleged irregularities involving the distribution of public funds to the airline, and officers were said to have collected documents and electronic data regarded as pertinent to the investigation.
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 keeps driving significant political and judicial fallout across Spain, largely due to the prominent individuals now tied to the investigation and the mounting scrutiny over how public funds were handled during the pandemic era.
Source: OKDIARIO – https://okdiario.com/espana/udef-registra-despacho-jose-luis-rodriguez-zapatero-plus-ultra-16826260