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[POLITICS] · Spain · 16 sources

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Begoña Gómez seeks acquittal in upcoming influence peddling trial

Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has submitted a formal defense brief ahead of her upcoming jury trial. Her legal team, led by Jaime Campaner, is seeking a full acquittal, denying all charges of influence peddling and misappropriation related to a university chair at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM).

The defense argues that Gómez did not use her marital status to exert pressure on university officials and that her role in the university's Social Transformation Chair was unpaid and performed without personal economic benefit. Furthermore, they deny the misappropriation of software, asserting the digital platform was a technical tool intended for the university's use and that its management was a functional necessity to protect the project's domain.

In addition to seeking acquittal, the defense has requested that the court order the popular prosecution groups, including Hazte Oír, to pay legal costs, characterizing their actions as 'reckless.' The legal team also defended the role of Gómez's assistant, Cristina Álvarez, arguing that providing support for both institutional and private tasks is a standard practice for the spouses of heads of government.

Separately, the High Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM) has archived a complaint against Judge Juan Carlos Peinado. The complaint, filed by the Unified Police Union, questioned Peinado's remarks suggesting that police escorts could potentially assist Gómez in fleeing. The TSJM concluded that the judge's comments did not constitute a disciplinary offense.

Entities

Begoña Gómez · Complutense University of Madrid · Consejo General del Poder Judicial · Hazte Oír · Juan Carlos Peinado · Pedro Sánchez · Sindicato Unificado de Policía · Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Madrid · Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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7 days ago