Spain's former PM Zapatero fails to explain €1.3 million jewelry

Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero promised a judge that he would clarify the origin of jewelry seized during a police raid, pledging to do so within a week or ten days. The deadline elapsed more than a month ago with no documentation or explanation presented.

The pieces, stored in a hidden safe in his former office, have been independently valued at about €1.3 million, far above earlier estimates of €30‑50 thousand. Zapatero’s team, citing a gift from the Saudi king during his premiership, has not produced supporting paperwork. The Spanish tax authority (Agencia Tributaria) has now entered the case as a possible affected party, expanding the investigation into potential fiscal or customs irregularities.

The probe continues under Judge José Luis Calama of the Audiencia Nacional, with a separate inquiry focusing on the jewelry’s provenance and any related tax implications.