Zapatero seeks case nullification over rights breach in Plus Ultra scandal

Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has asked the Audiencia Nacional to nullify the Plus Ultra investigation, arguing that his fundamental rights and procedural guarantees have been violated. His defence requests the exclusion of personal data – agendas and WhatsApp messages with his secretary Gertrudis Alcázar – from the case and urges the judge to limit the UDEF inquiry to the specific factual allegations.

Judge José Luis Calama, who is handling the case, has allowed the Agencia Tributaria to intervene as a private prosecutor concerning the €1.3 million worth of jewellery seized from Zapatero’s office. He also opened a separate investigation into the leak of Zapatero’s private documents, ordering testimony to identify the source of the “filtration”.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez denounced the “atropello” to Zapatero’s rights, stating “no es aceptable” and pledging full explanations. The government also confirmed that Zapatero’s cousin, José Miguel Vidal Zapatero, occupies a publicly funded staff post costing roughly €90,000 a year. Additionally, the judge imposed a precautionary block on corporate actions by other suspects in the investigation.

Zapatero’s legal team continues to demand protective measures against mass dissemination of his personal data while maintaining his presumption of innocence.