Former Plus Ultra executive testifies about payments to Zapatero-linked group
In a three-hour hearing before judge José Luis Calama, Roselli confirmed that Plus Ultra made payments to a consortium called “Grupo Zapatero” linked to the former premier. He said the airline received reports that were ignored and that the payments were tied to a small percentage of the rescue amount. Roselli acknowledged that the first phone contact with Zapatero came through Manuel Fajardo, a close associate of the ex-leader. He also noted that the SEPI monitored the rescue after it was granted, but the company did not inform the agency that some loans would be repaid in tax havens.
During a lengthy appearance before the Audiencia Nacional, former Plus Ultra chief Roberto Roselli admitted that the carrier paid the “Grupo Zapatero,” a network associated with former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, as part of the 2021 state rescue. He said the airline received irrelevant reports and that the payments represented a modest share of the total rescue funds. Roselli explained that the initial telephone call from Zapatero was routed through Manuel Fajardo, a trusted figure of the ex-leader.
He also described SEPI’s post-rescue oversight meetings, during which the airline’s financial health was discussed. Roselli conceded that Plus Ultra failed to tell SEPI that some bridge loans would be repaid through offshore entities, a lapse he said should have been reported. The judge has ordered the submission of the SEPI meeting minutes, and both Roselli and former finance director Julio Martínez Sola have offered to cooperate with investigators.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the testimony as a straightforward admission of modest payments and procedural lapses, while right-leaning coverage highlights the judge’s bewilderment and portrays the payments as a dubious commission meant to secure the rescue.
LEFT
Left-leaning coverage presents the executive’s testimony as a factual admission of payments to the Zapatero-linked group, noting the modest size of the payments and procedural shortcomings.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage emphasizes the judge’s surprise and describes the testimony as confusing, stressing the alleged 1% commission and insinuating improper influence.
The left emphasises
- payments represented a modest share of the total rescue funds
- failure to inform SEPI about offshore repayment of bridge loans
- description of SEPI’s post-rescue oversight meetings
The right emphasises
- judge’s “ojiplático” reaction to the testimony
- claim that Zapatero received a 1% commission for influencing the rescue
- portrayal of the testimony as vague and confusing
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