Madrid Audiencia to Hear Begoña Gómez Appeal on July 13

Five magistrates of Section 23 of the Audiencia Provincial of Madrid will deliberate on 13 July over three key appeals filed by the defence of Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The appeals challenge Judge Juan Carlos Peinado’s decisions that sent Gómez’s corruption case – involving alleged influence‑peddling, misappropriation and embezzlement – to a popular jury and imposed precautionary measures such as passport withdrawal and travel bans.

Gómez’s lawyers seek a suspension of the proceedings until the Audiencia resolves the appeals, request the testimony of José Manuel Ruano – former co‑director of a university chair linked to the investigation – and demand that three expert reports be admitted, arguing that Peinado’s refusal to allow these tests “limits the right of defence” and breaches procedural equality. The Audiencia previously annulled the conversion to a jury trial, but Peinado issued a new ruling that is now under review.

The case has drawn political attention, with the General Council of the Judiciary opening a disciplinary file against Peinado for comments about the security escort of Gómez, and commentators debating broader judicial reforms, including the role of artificial intelligence in courts.