Pedro Sánchez backs Zapatero and defends PSOE as corruption probes widen

Pedro Sánchez José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Leire Díez Santos Cerdán corruption probe

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated his support for former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, urging respect for the latter’s presumption of innocence. Sánchez said the investigation into the pandemic‑era loan to Plus Ultra airline remains in its initial phase, describing the loan as a legal, non‑rescue operation and defending the file as "intachable".

Two PSOE employees testified that former party organiser Santos Cerdán authorised the purchase of travel tickets and the use of the party’s garage for ex‑militant Leire Díez, noting the irregular nature of the expenses. Judge Santiago Pedraz postponed the mobile cloning of former chief of staff Juan Manuel Serrano to 18 August. A UCO report linked Cerdán and former adviser Koldo García to a car paid for by the company Servinabar that they used to travel to the Congress. The same investigation said Cerdán placed the PSOE structure at the disposal of a criminal network seeking to protect the party or government. The judge also lifted the imputation of the two employees and denied authorization to clone their mobiles.

Entities

Begoña Gómez · José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero · José Luis Ábalos · Juan Manuel Serrano · Koldo García · Leire Díez · Pedro Sánchez · Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas · Santiago Pedraz · Santos Cerdán · Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) · UCO

Claims

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

[● 2 SOURCES] Former PSOE transport minister José Luis Ábalos has been sentenced in a corruption case.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Joseba Antxon Alonso paid the car fees as part of alleged benefits that Santos Cerdán received for facilitating public‑works contracts. www.que.es
[● 2 SOURCES] UCO found that Santos Cerdán and Koldo García used a car paid for by Servinabar to travel to the Congress. www.que.es · www.eldia.es
[● 2 SOURCES] Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is headed to trial in a corruption case.
[● 2 SOURCES] Former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is being investigated for his involvement in the Plus Ultra airline bailout.
[● 2 SOURCES] Leire Díez‑Santos Cerdán is under investigation for alleged corruption linked to the PSOE.
[● 2 SOURCES] The president and CEO of Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas resigned while under investigation for receiving pandemic‑era state loans.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is under investigation for his role in the Plus Ultra bailout.
[● 4 SOURCES] Judge Santiago Pedraz postponed the mobile cloning of Juan Manuel Serrano to August 18. www.deia.eus
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Plus Ultra airline loan scandal led to the resignation of its president and CEO amid investigations linked to a pandemic‑era state loan.
[● 3 SOURCES] The 'Leire' case investigates alleged attempts to destabilise judicial proceedings affecting the PSOE and the government. www.deia.eus
[● 2 SOURCES] HazteOír's popular indictment asks for 13 years imprisonment for Begoña Gómez on charges of misappropriation and influence trafficking.