The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Madrid has announced its intention to challenge the decision made by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado. The judge has summoned the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to testify in an investigation concerning presumed influence peddling and corruption involving his wife, Begoña Gómez.
Sources involved in the case have informed Europa Press that the prosecutor intends to request the judge to annul the ruling made public on Monday. This ruling indicated that the testimony would be taken at La Moncloa, referencing Articles 412 and 413 of the Criminal Procedure Law (LeCrim). According to these provisions, if the President’s testimony relates to issues he has not personally encountered due to his position, the judge is required to go to the President’s official residence or office for the hearing.
The investigation focuses on all actions and behaviors of Begoña Gómez since her husband has been in office, particularly those outlined in an initial complaint filed by the Manos Limpias union. This complaint relates to her alleged connections with businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés and contracts that have not been forwarded to the European Prosecutor’s Office.
In his ruling, the judge expressed the importance of taking the testimony of the spouse of the accused. However, Article 416 of the LeCrim states that Pedro Sánchez, as the husband of Begoña Gómez, is exempt from the obligation to testify. Legal sources cited by Europa Press clarify that this exemption does not release him from appearing before the judge. Therefore, unless the judge travels to La Moncloa, the President cannot invoke this article.
It is worth noting that in April, the Prosecutor’s Office requested the dismissal of the Manos Limpias complaint that initiated this case. In early July, they also asked the Madrid Court to narrow the scope of the case, arguing that the judge was pursuing a “general” investigation.
The decision to summon Sánchez follows an incident where Begoña Gómez invoked her right to remain silent, after her lawyer expressed concerns about the lack of protections in the proceedings against her. On the same day, the popular prosecution represented by Vox requested that the judge also summon Pedro Sánchez as a witness to explain the “meetings” he allegedly held with Gómez and the businessman under investigation, Juan Carlos Barrabés.
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