Spanish prosecutors and State Attorney reject Zapatero's bid to drop popular accusations in jewelry case

Spain’s Anti‑Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office have opposed former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s request to have the popular accusations in the Plus Ultra jewelry case dismissed. The case concerns jewellery valued at €1.3 million that was found in a safe in Zapatero’s former office. The prosecutor, Elena Lorente, argued that the request seeks to block the popular action before a legal assessment of the alleged offence is even possible. The State Attorney’s Office said the action can legally coexist with a specific victim – the Spanish Tax Agency – which would be represented by the State Attorney. Both bodies stressed that the public interest in the correct application of criminal law and the protection of the Treasury justify the continuation of the popular prosecution.