Zapatero requests nullity of Plus Ultra case alleging rights violations

Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has requested the nullity of the entire Plus Ultra case, arguing that his fundamental rights have been violated. The petition, filed by his lawyer Víctor Moreno Catena, seeks to invalidate all proceedings and exclude evidence obtained by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. Source: ABC; El Mundo

Key arguments

• The defense claims that the investigation originated from an improper analysis of private conversations of lawyer Miguel Palomero, which were obtained without judicial authorization in a separate case. Source: El Confidencial
• It contends that the case was improperly transferred from a Madrid court to the Audiencia Nacional, bypassing normal assignment procedures and violating the right to a predetermined judge. Source: El País
• Zapatero's lawyer argues that the proceedings were built on a "pieza separada" (separate piece) that was not connected to the archived main case, constituting a procedural irregularity. Source: El Mundo

Disagreements

While all sources agree on the main request, El País highlights that Judge José Luis Calama has not yet ruled and may take weeks to decide. ABC emphasizes the defense's accusation of "maniobras" (maneuvers) by the Prosecutor's Office to steer the case to the Audiencia Nacional.

What's next

The court must now decide on the nullity request. If denied, the defense may appeal. Source: El País

In summary, the defense seeks to annul a dozen judicial resolutions, including search warrants and the transfer of the case, arguing that all evidence derived from illegal sources should be excluded.