Spanish ex-PM Zapatero faces new tax, smuggling charges over 1.3M euro jewels

A judicial investigation into former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has expanded after the discovery of luxury jewelry valued at 1.3 million euros in his Madrid office. Judge José Luis Calama of the National Court has opened a separate line of inquiry for alleged tax fraud and smuggling, citing a lack of documentation on the origin of the 103 pieces Source: lavanguardia.

What happened

During a May search of Zapatero's office related to the Plus Ultra airline rescue case, authorities found a safe containing gold and diamond jewelry, including a diamond-and-emerald collar worth 278,000 euros Source: clarin. The judge ordered a valuation by the Ansorena jewelry firm, which assessed the total at 1,323,915 euros. Zapatero's spokesman initially claimed the jewels were worth 30,000–50,000 euros and came from family inheritances, but later admitted the figure was "wrong" Source: lavozar.

Legal implications

The judge argues that the high value and absence of fiscal traceability constitute "objective and rational evidence" of tax evasion exceeding the 120,000-euro threshold for criminal liability Source: lavanguardia. Legal experts note that even if Zapatero now pays the owed tax, it would only mitigate, not eliminate, the crime Source: abces. The new charges, which carry potential prison sentences of up to five years, add to existing allegations of influence peddling and money laundering in the Plus Ultra case Source: elconfidencial.

Political fallout

The case has deeply embarrassed the Socialist Party (PSOE). The conservative opposition has questioned whether Zapatero used VIP airport lounges to smuggle the items, suggesting a possible Arab origin Source: elconfidencial. PM Pedro Sánchez has not commented, while Socialist leaders who once called Zapatero a "moral beacon" have fallen silent Source: elmundoes. Zapatero is due to testify before the judge on June 17.