Judge Juan Carlos Peinado Orders Trial for Begoña Gómez
Madrid, Spain – Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has ordered Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to stand trial for alleged embezzlement. The decision, issued in a ruling dated September 24, 2025, follows a preliminary investigation that found sufficient evidence to warrant a jury trial. Gómez was summoned to appear in court on Saturday, September 27, 2025, to be formally charged, though she declined to attend, sending her lawyer instead.,,,,,
Allegations and Investigation Details
The investigation centers on whether an official employed in the Prime Minister's office, Cristina Álvarez, also performed duties for Gómez while the latter held a position at Madrid's Complutense University.,,,, Judge Peinado's ruling cited emails sent by Álvarez to third parties that 'clearly seem to exceed her duties' in the prime minister's office, constituting 'sufficient evidence' for a trial.,,,, The judge noted that Gómez's 'personal friendship' with Álvarez was 'the reason for her appointment to the position of highest trust,' suggesting a potential 'diversion of public resources in favour of private interests.',,,,
Defense and Public Prosecutor Seek Dismissal
Despite the judge's order, both Begoña Gómez's defense team and the Public Prosecutor's Office have requested the dismissal of the investigation., Antonio Camacho, Gómez's lawyer, has appealed Judge Peinado's ruling, arguing a 'lack of evidence' and an 'exorbitant' interpretation of Spain's criminal code.,, The Public Prosecutor's Office had previously appealed a local court's decision to open preliminary investigations in April 2024, citing a lack of evidence.,,,, Both the prosecution and defense teams contend that the accused are not civil servants, which they believe impacts the applicability of embezzlement charges.
Political Context and Reactions
The case has significant political implications in Spain, adding pressure to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's minority coalition government.,,,, Sánchez has consistently dismissed the allegations against his wife as politically motivated, describing them as an attempt by the right to undermine his government.,,,,, He has publicly defended his wife's 'innocence' and stated that 'the truth will ultimately prevail.',, The initial complaint against Gómez was filed by Manos Limpias ('Clean Hands'), an organization with ties to far-right causes, which based its complaint on media reports.,,,, The judge is expected to issue a decision on the dismissal requests in the coming days.
5 Comments
Eugene Alta
This is a politically motivated witch hunt. Shameful how justice is being weaponized.
Michelangelo
Public accountability is vital for a healthy democracy, and a trial can bring clarity. But the Prime Minister's claims of political motivation cannot be entirely dismissed, especially given the intense political climate in Spain.
Africa
The judge found sufficient evidence. That's all that matters for a trial.
Habibi
On one hand, the emails cited by the judge suggest potential impropriety and abuse of position. On the other hand, the unanimous request for dismissal from both the defense and prosecution is a significant detail that shouldn't be overlooked.
Muchacho
Based on media reports and a far-right group? This case is a farce.