Spanish Prime Minister's wife declares innocence in corruption case

(CLO) Begona Gomez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, on Wednesday denied charges of corruption and abuse of power related to her education business in her first court appearance since the investigation began in April.

The investigation, along with another corruption case allegedly involving a former minister, has led the opposition to demand Prime Minister Sanchez’s resignation, further polarizing politics in Spain, where Sanchez currently leads a minority left-wing government.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez with Ms. Begoña Gómez at the Goya Awards ceremony (2018). Photo: CC/Wiki

At the closed hearing, Ms. Gomez only answered questions from her lawyer, Mr. Antonio Camacho - who used to serve as Minister of the Interior.

Ms Gomez denies using her influence as the prime minister's wife to win funding for a master's course she runs at a university, bypassing a public tender process.

Ms. Gomez asserted that she was not aware of the existence of these bidding processes and was not involved or had any involvement when the contracts were awarded.

"My client has made it clear that she has nothing to hide. She has not previously provided testimony because the investigation has not been clearly defined," said attorney Camacho.

Gomez also explained that any course-related meetings held at the Prime Minister's official residence during the COVID-19 pandemic were due to travel restrictions, and were not intended to be anything other than that.

The case was initiated by the anti-corruption group Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), led by lawyer Miguel Bernad, who ran for a far-right party in European elections. Several other individuals have since joined the lawsuit.

Prime Minister Sanchez, a Socialist, has repeatedly denied the allegations, calling them baseless conspiracies concocted by right-wing political opponents.

In late April, shortly after the investigation was opened, Prime Minister Sanchez suspended work for five days to consider resigning, but he ultimately decided to continue leading.

Hong Hanh (according to Lemonde, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/vo-cua-thu-tuong-tay-ban-nha-tuyen-bo-vo-toi-trong-vu-an-tham-nhung-post326375.html