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Simon Leendert Verhoeven arrested in Germany in Plus Ultra case
Dutch financier Simon Leendert Verhoeven has been arrested in Germany and is scheduled for extradition to Spain on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Verhoeven is considered a central figure in the Plus Ultra case, an investigation involving former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
Prosecutors allege that Verhoeven orchestrated a network to launder illicit funds from Venezuela through offshore structures in England, Switzerland, and Gibraltar. He is accused of providing approximately 1.3 million euros in bridge loans to the airline Plus Ultra between 2020 and 2021. Investigators suggest these funds were later used to cover or facilitate the use of a 53 million euro government bailout received by the airline during the pandemic.
Verhoeven faces multiple charges, including money laundering, misappropriation, influence peddling, and membership in a criminal organization. During a search of his residence in Palma de Mallorca, authorities reportedly found luxury watches and jewelry valued at approximately 240,000 euros, which may be linked to the laundering activities. He is expected to appear before Judge José Luis Calama of the Audiencia Nacional upon his arrival in Madrid.
Entities
Audiencia Nacional · Germany · José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero · Plus Ultra · Simon Leendert Verhoeven · Venezuela
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Plus Ultra later received a 53 million euro government bailout, which investigators claim was used to cover the illicit funds. www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.negocios.com · www.20minutos.es · es.euronews.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Plus Ultra case involves an investigation into former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.20minutos.es · www.diariodemallorca.es · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Verhoeven is scheduled to be extradited to Madrid from Frankfurt on Thursday, September 24, 2026. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.negocios.com · okdiario.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Verhoeven is facing charges including misappropriation, influence peddling, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.negocios.com · www.20minutos.es
- [● 2 SOURCES] Plus Ultra maintains that the loans were necessary because the airline was on the verge of bankruptcy and could not secure traditional bank financing. www.elmundo.es · es.euronews.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] Simon Leendert Verhoeven is identified as the central figure in a structure used to move and launder illicit funds from Venezuela. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.negocios.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · +4 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] German authorities have arrested Dutch financier Simon Leendert Verhoeven. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.negocios.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · +4 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Verhoeven allegedly provided over 1 million euros in bridge loans to Plus Ultra through offshore structures in England, Switzerland, and Gibraltar. www.elmundo.es · elpais.com · www.negocios.com