Judge seeks official record of gifts received by former Spanish premier Zapatero

Audiencia Nacional judge José Luis Calama, overseeing the Plus Ultra case, sent a formal request to the sub-direction of Patrimonio for the official act documenting institutional gifts presented to the Spanish government’s presidency from 2004 through 2011. His investigation focuses on possible commissions Zapatero may have taken in the airline’s pandemic bailout, as well as a collection of jewellery discovered in a safe at his former Ferraz-street office.

Zapatero’s lawyers have asked the judge to contact Saudi authorities to verify the origin of the jewellery, which they claim was a 2007 gift from the Saudi monarch. The judge’s request also covers other items described as “family-origin” gifts. The probe remains open on multiple fronts concerning Zapatero’s business dealings during his two terms as prime minister.