Begoña Gómez summoned to preliminary hearing in Madrid

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has summoned Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to a preliminary hearing this Tuesday at 6:00 PM in Madrid. The hearing is a critical step toward opening a jury trial regarding allegations of embezzlement and influence peddling.

Gómez and her assistant, Cristina Álvarez, have both submitted defense filings requesting acquittal. Gómez maintains she did not act to enrich herself or misappropriate software from the Complutense University of Madrid. The popular accusation led by Hazte Oír is seeking 13 years of prison for Gómez and six years for Álvarez, while the Prosecution has advocated for their acquittal.

Judge Peinado aims to conclude the instruction phase and issue the order to open the oral trial before his scheduled retirement on September 27. Once the case is elevated to the Provincial Court of Madrid, a jury trial is expected to take place, potentially as early as 2027, depending on court workloads and judicial schedules.