The National Court has called Julio Martínez Martínez to testify over his alleged role in Plus Ultra’s €53 million rescue. Investigators seized large sums of cash from his home. The case also involves payments to Zapatero and his daughters’ company.
The investigation into the Plus Ultra airline bailout has taken a new turn as the National Court judge José Luis Calama has summoned businessman Julio Martínez Martínez to testify on July 21. Martínez, who manages the consultancy Análisis Relevante, is under scrutiny for his suspected involvement in securing a €53 million government rescue for the airline after the pandemic. His testimony is considered pivotal, as he is seen as a trusted figure within the network of influence surrounding the case.
Martínez’s consultancy had paid former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and the company owned by his daughters for five years, a detail that has drawn further attention to the financial and personal links at the heart of the investigation. The judge’s decision to call Martínez comes after months of silence from the businessman, who has so far avoided addressing his connections to Zapatero in public interviews and declined to speak during a Senate inquiry in April.
Authorities detained Martínez on December 11, alongside Plus Ultra executives. During a search of his home, the Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) of the police discovered €286,070 in cash, hidden in various locations including the bathroom, wardrobes, and a golf bag. Notably, €10,000 was found in envelopes marked with Chinese characters translating to “10 thousand.” When brought before the court, Martínez exercised his right not to testify, but stated that the cash was family money and partly from a property sale.
The upcoming testimony is seen as a crucial moment for the defense strategy of Zapatero, who is implicated through his longstanding relationship with Martínez. Legal sources indicate that the judge has not yet scheduled hearings for Zapatero’s secretary, Gertrudis Alcázar, or his daughters, Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosa, who were formally charged shortly after Zapatero’s own appearance in court.
According to available information, the Plus Ultra case has become one of Spain’s most closely watched judicial proceedings involving public funds and alleged influence networks. The €53 million bailout, granted during the COVID-19 crisis, has faced ongoing scrutiny over its justification and the selection process. The involvement of high-profile political figures and the discovery of large sums of cash have intensified public and media interest. The outcome of Martínez’s testimony could have significant implications for the direction of the case and for the reputations of those involved.
