Court Freezes Nearly Half a Million Euros in Zapatero’s Accounts in Plus Ultra Case. A total of €490,780 has been frozen in the accounts of Spain’s former prime minister. The decision is linked to the investigation into the Plus Ultra case and transfers from the company Análisis Relevante. Zapatero has been summoned for questioning.
In Spain, National Court judge José Luis Calama has ordered the freezing of €490,780 in the bank accounts of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The measure was taken as part of the Plus Ultra case investigation, which involves suspicions of influence peddling and financial ties with a number of companies. According to judicial sources, only the funds received by Zapatero from the consulting firm Análisis Relevante are being proportionally blocked. This company has been under financial restrictions for several months due to suspicions of participating in a corruption scheme.
The court decision came after the former head of government was officially charged and summoned for questioning scheduled for June 2. Investigators believe that Zapatero could have headed a stable network engaged in mediation and leveraging connections to obtain economic benefits for third parties, primarily the airline Plus Ultra. According to the investigation, the total amount Zapatero and his associates could have received as part of the alleged scheme reaches €1.95 million, although not all of these funds are classified as illegal commissions.
The case materials mention the company Análisis Relevante, managed by Alicante entrepreneur Julio Martínez Martínez, who maintains a personal relationship with Zapatero. From 2020 to 2025, this firm transferred nearly 960,000 euros to accounts belonging to the former prime minister and the company Whathefav, owned by his daughters. Accounts belonging to Agropecuaria Lucena, which specializes in real estate management and has a registered capital of more than 2.3 million euros, have also been frozen. This entity transferred an additional 21,000 euros to Zapatero's daughters.
Zapatero himself has denied all accusations, stating in a video message that his activities have always complied with the law and that he has never owned any commercial companies either in Spain or abroad. He emphasized that he has not participated directly or through third parties in transactions similar to those cited in the investigation.
Previously, the court had already explained why Zapatero’s actions are classified as influence peddling in the Plus Ultra case. Details of the court’s reasoning and analysis of key documents are covered in the article on the charges against the former prime minister.
For reference: The National Court is one of Spain’s key judicial bodies, handling cases of corruption and economic crimes. Plus Ultra is a Spanish airline that previously received state support, which prompted the investigation. In recent years, Spain has tightened controls over the financial activities of former and current officials, and cases of influence peddling regularly attract public attention.
