José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero under investigation over jewelry found in office

Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is under investigation by the Audiencia Nacional in the ‘Plus Ultra case’ regarding alleged tax crimes and smuggling. The investigation follows the discovery of over 60 pieces of jewelry, valued at approximately 1.3 million euros, found in a safe within his office during a police search in May 2026.

Zapatero has claimed that several of the most valuable pieces were personal gifts from the late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, received during a 2007 state visit. His defense has contested a court order for a second appraisal by the jeweler Yanes, arguing the move lacks utility and questioning the firm's impartiality. They have indicated they will propose their own expert if the judge maintains the order.

The legal proceedings also involve allegations of influence peddling related to a 53-million-euro government bailout for the airline Plus Ultra during the pandemic. While Zapatero's defense has requested international judicial assistance from Saudi Arabia to verify the origin of the gifts, Judge José Luis Calama has reportedly declined this request, characterizing it as a tactic to delay the process.