Juan Espadas, the Secretary General of the PSOE in Andalusia and spokesperson for the Socialist Group in the Senate, expressed concern over what he perceives as the “personal stubbornness” of Madrid judge Juan Carlos Peinado. According to Espadas, this stubbornness is evident in Peinado’s relentless pursuit of an investigation into Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, which Espadas believes lacks sufficient justification. He described the situation as resembling a general case against them.
Speaking to the media in Mairena del Aljarafe (Seville), Espadas responded to questions about the judge’s recent decision to summon Sánchez to testify as a witness in the inquiry related to Gómez, who is being investigated for alleged influence peddling and business corruption.
Espadas remarked that the events unfolding this past Monday, when the summons for Sánchez was made public, showcased a “ceremony of confusion and strangeness,” especially considering the negative reports against continuing the investigation. He criticized Peinado for progressing in the case purely due to his personal determination, without adequate justification or guarantees.
In light of this, Espadas questioned whether there are underlying reasons driving this investigation, especially since both the Civil Guard and the Prosecutor’s Office have indicated that there are no grounds to proceed.
While acknowledging that Judge Peinado has the authority to make his own decisions, Espadas emphasized that citizens have rights in a state governed by law to challenge judicial decisions that they feel are inappropriate. He believes that Pedro Sánchez will take the necessary actions in response to the situation.
Espadas called for patience, insisting on a “full and absolute” trust in the rule of law. He pointed out that there are judges who make determinations and individuals involved in the case who have rights to clarity regarding the reasons for the investigation. He expressed that this situation feels familiar to those in Andalucía and highlighted the importance of transparency and adherence to due process.
Ultimately, Espadas conveyed his support and confidence in Pedro Sánchez from the entire Socialist organization, noting that Sánchez likely doesn’t need this backing, especially since the reasons behind the ongoing investigation remain unclear.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/espana/agencias/2024/07/23/espadas-critica-el-empecinamiento-del-juez-peinado-en-seguir-su-investigacion-a-begona-gomez-suena-a-causa-general/
