Julio Martínez Martínez confirmed before the judge that José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero guided the process leading to Plus Ultra's €53 million bailout. The businessman stated he does not know which officials were contacted.
Businessman Julio Martínez Martínez has reaffirmed before Judge José Luis Calama that José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero played a central role in the steps that led to the €53 million government bailout of Plus Ultra after the pandemic. During a lengthy session at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid, Martínez Martínez maintained that the former prime minister was the key figure directing efforts to secure state support for the airline, though he admitted he could not specify which individuals Zapatero contacted to expedite the process.
The hearing, which lasted over three hours, began with Judge Calama questioning Martínez Martínez for more than an hour. This was followed by inquiries from the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office. Martínez Martínez, accompanied by his lawyer María Dolores Márquez de Prado, arrived at the court early Tuesday morning, prepared to confirm the contents of the written statement he had submitted the previous day. In that document, he directly implicated Zapatero and expressed his willingness to assist in clarifying the facts surrounding the controversial rescue.
According to sources present at the session, Martínez Martínez reiterated that Zapatero, acting as a consultant, was the one who determined the course of action in the negotiations that ultimately resulted in the substantial financial aid for Plus Ultra. However, he emphasized that he did not have knowledge of the specific government contacts involved in the decision-making process. The judge focused on clarifying these points, seeking details about the chain of communication and the mechanisms used to facilitate the bailout.
This testimony adds a new layer to the ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the Plus Ultra rescue, which has drawn scrutiny over possible political influence in the allocation of pandemic-era public funds. The case has already seen previous developments, including statements from other figures linked to the airline. For further background on the controversy and earlier court filings implicating Zapatero, see the related report on the airline's president's statements: Plus Ultra president's earlier claims about Zapatero's involvement.
Spain's government approved the Plus Ultra bailout in 2021 as part of a broader package to support companies hit by COVID-19. The decision sparked debate over the criteria used to select recipients and the transparency of the process. The Audiencia Nacional continues to examine whether any irregularities or undue political pressure influenced the outcome. The outcome of this investigation could have implications for future oversight of public aid and the accountability of high-level officials in Spain.
