Former Prime Minister Zapatero remains charged in the Plus Ultra case after a three-hour court interrogation. The judge cites four main sources of evidence. The investigation is still in its early stages.
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Spain’s former prime minister, continues to face criminal charges in the Plus Ultra case after a demanding three-hour interrogation at the Audiencia Nacional. Judge José Luis Calama decided to maintain Zapatero’s status as an accused, citing four distinct sources of evidence that, in the court’s view, justify ongoing suspicion. The case remains in its early stages, with several unresolved questions and further inquiries expected.
During the hearing, Zapatero answered only to the judge and his own lawyer, declining to respond to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, which initiated the investigation in January 2025. According to sources close to Zapatero, the judge pressed him on unresolved aspects of the case, including the origins of a Dubai-based company allegedly linked to the diversion of public funds through a 1% commission involving businessman Julio Martínez Martínez. Zapatero reportedly expressed full willingness to cooperate, even authorizing access to his international banking records and assets.
Judge Calama, in a written decision after the session, stated that Zapatero’s testimony did not dispel the “rational indications of criminality.” While the court rejected the prosecution’s request to confiscate Zapatero’s passport or restrict his travel, it found sufficient grounds to keep him under investigation. The judge highlighted four main pieces of evidence supporting the charges.
The first is the seizure of electronic devices from Plus Ultra executives and associates in December 2025. Police extracted messages suggesting a network of influence aimed at securing government aid for the airline. Although Zapatero is mentioned in some communications, he denies any involvement or pressure regarding the bailout, stating he had no relationship with Plus Ultra beyond knowing its current president, Julio Martínez Sola.
The second element concerns the traceability of financial transfers. Investigators have linked movements in Zapatero’s bank accounts to funds allegedly originating from the government’s aid to Plus Ultra, routed through various companies. The court notes that Zapatero received nearly half a million euros from Análisis Relevante over five years, with additional payments to his daughters’ company and connections to firms linked to Venezuelan businessmen. Zapatero maintains these were legitimate consultancy fees, consistent with his professional background and his daughters’ work in communications.
The third piece of evidence involves data from a mobile phone belonging to Rodolfo Reyes, former owner of Plus Ultra, obtained by U.S. authorities in 2021 and handed to Spanish police in 2026. Messages on the device refer to Zapatero’s alleged mediation in the airline’s affairs. Zapatero’s defense challenges the legality and chain of custody of this evidence, requesting further details from U.S. authorities.
The fourth and most recent finding is the discovery of jewelry worth €1.3 million in Zapatero’s Madrid office during a police search in May. The origin and tax status of these items remain unverified, prompting the judge to add charges of smuggling and tax fraud. Zapatero’s legal team has requested additional time to provide documentation, citing the involvement of Arab countries and the complexity of tracing the assets.
The investigation is expected to continue, with the possibility of further witness testimony and additional hearings for Zapatero, particularly regarding the jewelry-related charges. The court is also considering a request to clarify the circumstances under which the U.S. obtained and transferred the mobile phone evidence. The defense views this as a potential avenue for challenging the validity of key evidence.
Spain’s Audiencia Nacional is a high court specializing in complex financial and political cases. The Plus Ultra affair has drawn significant attention due to Zapatero’s status as the first former prime minister to be formally charged in a criminal investigation. The outcome could set important precedents for future cases involving public funds and political figures. As of 2026, the case remains open, with no trial date set and further developments anticipated as the investigation progresses.
