Plus Ultra executives testify regarding alleged commissions paid to Zapatero's circle

Plus Ultra rescue Zapatero investigation Audiencia Nacional SEPI corruption probe

Former Plus Ultra executives, including Roberto Roselli and Julio Martínez Sola, have provided testimony to the Audiencia Nacional regarding the 2021 53 million euro state rescue of the airline. The executives claim the company paid a 1% commission, approximately 530,000 euros, to the circle of former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to facilitate the aid. They alleged these payments were made to companies linked to Martínez Martínez, an associate of Zapatero, for 'accompaniment' services.

Roselli testified that the rescue was known to be approved a week before the formal Council of Ministers announcement. Additionally, investigators are examining the use of a Luxembourg-based investment platform called 'Modus' to secure nearly 9 million euros in financing from Venezuelan capital in 2018.

Judge José Luis Calama and Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Elena Lorente have ordered the production of meeting minutes with SEPI and various banking documents. While the former executives have offered to collaborate, the judiciary has rejected legal attempts to annul the investigation. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has defended Zapatero's presumption of innocence and stated he will continue to include him in future electoral campaigns.

Entities

Audiencia Nacional · José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero · Julio Martínez Sola · Pedro Sánchez · Plus Ultra · Roberto Roselli · SEPI

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 18 SOURCES] Plus Ultra paid a 1% commission, approximately 530,000 euros, to the circle of former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero regarding a 53 million euro public rescue. www.elmundo.es · www.esdiario.com · www.diariodejerez.es · www.diariodesevilla.es · www.europasur.es · +13 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Payments totaling approximately 530,000 euros were made to companies linked to Julio Martínez Martínez, an associate of Zapatero. www.vilaweb.cat
[○ 1 SOURCE] The National Court has ordered former Plus Ultra executives to provide meeting minutes with SEPI and various banking documents. www.elmundo.es
[○ 1 SOURCE] SEPI failed to investigate specific credits or monitor the destination of rescue funds, despite suspicions regarding loans from tax havens. www.elmundo.es
[○ 1 SOURCE] The 53 million euro rescue was reportedly known to be approved one week before the formal Council of Ministers announcement. www.preferente.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Plus Ultra used a Luxembourg-based investment platform called 'Modus' to secure 9.66 million dollars in financing from Venezuelan capital in 2018. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.elcorreoweb.es · www.lne.es · www.levante-emv.com