Spain's PM Declines Testimony in Wife's Corruption Probe

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez refused to testify in a corruption investigation involving his wife, Begona Gomez. Sanchez was questioned for two minutes at Moncloa Palace. This marks the first time a sitting Spanish prime minister has been summoned since Mariano Rajoy's 2017 graft case.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declined to testify on Tuesday as a witness in a judicial investigation into alleged corruption and influence peddling against his wife, Begona Gomez. This followed accusations that led him to consider resigning back in April, according to lawyers present at the hearing.

Under Spanish law, close relatives such as spouses can refuse to answer questions when summoned by a judge. Sanchez's testimony lasted two minutes, during which the investigating judge, Juan Carlos Peinado, asked him whether he was related to any of the people under investigation and whether he wanted to testify. Sanchez confirmed that Gomez is his wife and chose not to testify.

The investigation centers on whether Gomez used her position as the prime minister's wife to secure sponsors for a university master's degree course she ran. Sanchez has denied these accusations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. The hearing took place at Moncloa Palace in Madrid, with a small group of protesters rallying outside against Sanchez and his Socialist Party. This is the first instance since 2017 that a sitting Spanish prime minister has been called to testify in a judicial case.

(With inputs from agencies.)