Zapatero Jewel Probe: Tax Authority Allowed to Join Investigation

Judge José Luis Calama of Spain's Audiencia Nacional issued an order allowing the Spanish Tax Agency (Hacienda) to intervene as a potentially injured party in a separate proceeding that investigates roughly 80 jewels recovered from former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s office. The jewellery, valued at about €1.3 million, lack any purchase invoices or customs documentation, prompting the judge to consider possible crimes against the Treasury (tax evasion exceeding €120,000) and contraband (value over €150,000).

Zapatero declined to explain the items when questioned, and his lawyer’s attempt to postpone the hearing was rejected on the grounds that sufficient time had passed since the May 19 discovery. The investigation will assess the origin of the pieces, any undisclosed income, and whether customs duties were avoided, separate from the broader Plus Ultra corruption case.