Zapatero claims Saudi king's jewellery was a strictly personal gift
Former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero told a judge that the valuable jewellery found in his office was a personal present from the Saudi monarch.
In a document addressed to the judge, former Spanish premier José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero explained that the most valuable jewellery uncovered in a register at his former office originated from a personal gift by King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia. The collection comprises three sets with identical designs, each distinguished by rubies, emeralds or sapphires. Zapatero stated the king presented the items at his residence in Madrid while on an official trip, describing the gesture as strictly personal and accepted out of respect. He added that the jewellery has remained stored with family heirlooms and other friends' gifts, never used or assigned any commercial purpose.
How this was covered
- Coverage peaked at 6 outlets in a single hour
Why it matters
The claim could affect investigations into possible undeclared foreign gifts to a former head of government.
How this story developed
- Sep 21 Judge Peinado Orders Jury Trial for Begoña Gómez and La Moncloa Aide
- Sep 22 The case has been forwarded to the Audiencia Provincial for assignment to a criminal section.
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