Spanish Prosecutor Opposes Extension of Begoña Gómez Investigation Until 2026

Prosecutor Challenges Investigation Timeline

The Public Prosecutor's Office in Spain has officially opposed the decision by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado to extend the investigation into Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, until April 2026. The prosecutor's appeal argues that cases eligible for trial by a popular jury are not bound by the same time limits for investigation, a move that highlights the ongoing legal and political complexities surrounding the high-profile case.

Origins and Allegations of the 'Begoña Gómez Case'

The investigation, formally opened on April 16, 2024, stems from a complaint filed by the anti-graft NGO Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), an organization reportedly linked to the far-right. The complaint alleged offenses of corruption in the private sector and influence peddling related to Ms. Gómez's business activities. Manos Limpias itself later stated that its complaint was based on media reports and that it could not vouch for their veracity.

Specific allegations against Begoña Gómez include:

• Links to several private companies that allegedly received government funding or won public contracts.
• Ties with the Spanish tourism group Globalia, which owns the Air Europa airline, during a period when the carrier was seeking a government bailout.
• Using her influence to secure sponsors for a university master's degree course she directed.

In a parallel development, the European Public Prosecutor's Office has also indicted entrepreneur Juan Carlos Barrabés and a Red.es executive, finding irregularities in contracts that Ms. Gómez allegedly endorsed through recommendation letters.

Judge Peinado's Extension and Rationale

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who presides over Investigating Court number 41 in Madrid, decided to extend the preliminary investigation for an additional six months, setting the new deadline for April 2026. This extension, which began on October 16, 2025, was justified by the judge on the grounds that 'numerous investigative steps remain pending to be resolved.' The investigation encompasses alleged crimes including traffic of influences, corruption in business, misappropriation of brand, intrusion, and embezzlement.

Prosecutor's Legal Argument and Broader Context

The Public Prosecutor's Office, through Prosecutor José Manuel San Baldomero, filed an appeal against this extension. The core of their argument is that when a case can be tried by a popular jury, it is not subject to the same statutory time limits for investigation that apply to other types of cases. This is not the first instance of the Public Prosecutor's Office seeking to curtail the investigation; Madrid prosecutors had previously appealed for the case to be dismissed due to a lack of evidence, but their request was overruled.

The case has been highly politicized, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly denouncing it as a 'smear campaign' and 'lawfare' orchestrated by the political right and far-right to destabilize his government. Furthermore, the Madrid Provincial Court has previously intervened, correcting some of Judge Peinado's decisions, including the annulment of a separate part of the investigation related to embezzlement. The judge has also reportedly issued directives prohibiting witnesses from making public statements regarding the case.