Court suspends declaration of Spanish premier’s wife in corruption probe

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - A Madrid court suspended the declaration of the Spanish prime minister’s wife on Friday, determining that she was not adequately informed of the accusations against her.

Begona Gomez is being investigated for alleged crimes of influence peddling and corruption in the private sector.

The charges have been brought by groups with ties to the far-right, including the ultra-Catholic group Hazte Oir and the association Manos Limpias.

Gomez arrived at the Madrid courthouse in the morning as angry protesters accused the government of corruption.

But Gomez’s lawyer successfully argued that she was unaware of the charges against her and was not formally notified about the complaint brought about by Hazte Oir.

El Pais and other Spanish media outlets report that her declaration has been pushed back to July 19.

The investigating judge also ruled that her testimony will be able to be filmed, despite her lawyer's requests to only allow audio recordings in the courtroom.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says his wife is fully innocent and even threatened to leave his post over what he called a “bullying operation” conducted against his family.

After five days of consideration, he announced in late April that he would not quit, and would instead step up his fight against the “unfounded” attacks on his wife.

Earlier this week, speaking to broadcaster Cadena Ser, Sanchez said he was “absolutely calm and confident” that her testimony would go well. He also emphasized his belief that the investigation is part of a right-wing judicial strategy to attack him for his progressive stances.

Spain’s conservative Popular Party has slammed the prime minister for dismissing the charges against his wife and has called on him to step down.

The murky accusations against Gomez are said to revolve around her using influence as the prime minister’s wife to help secure public contracts and funding for the university program that she directs.

Earlier this week, the judge said Gomez is being investigated for “all actions, conduct and behaviors … since her husband became prime minister.”