Zapatero claims office jewelry was a personal gift from Saudi King

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Saudi Arabia jewelry investigation Audiencia Nacional Plus Ultra case

Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has informed Judge José Luis Calama of the Audiencia Nacional that high-value jewelry found in his office safe was a personal gift from the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia. According to his defense, the pieces—comprising three sets of necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings featuring rubies, emeralds, and sapphires—were presented during the Saudi monarch's official visit to Madrid on June 18-19, 2007.

The investigation, part of the Plus Ultra case, is examining potential crimes of tax fraud and smuggling. While a judicial appraisal by the Ansorena jewelry house valued the items at approximately 1.3 million euros, Zapatero's defense disputes this figure, arguing it reflects current market replacement values rather than the value in 2007.

To substantiate his claims, Zapatero's legal team has requested an international rogatory commission to obtain official confirmation from Saudi authorities. Additionally, the defense has challenged the impartiality of the Yanes jewelry house, which was selected by the judge to conduct a new gemological report, following public comments made by its director regarding the potential multi-million euro value of the pieces.

Entities

Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud · Ansorena · Audiencia Nacional · José Luis Calama · José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero · Mohamed VI · Moncloa Palace · Sonsoles Espinosa · UDEF · Yanes

Claims

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

[○ 1 SOURCE] Investigation sources suggest the jewelry from Morocco was intended for Sonsoles Espinosa, Zapatero's wife.
[● 12 SOURCES] Judge José Luis Calama granted Zapatero three days to provide documentation regarding the jewelry. www.elnacional.cat · www.laregion.es · www.eldiario.es · www.ondacero.es · bilbaohiria.com · +4 more
[● 16 SOURCES] The jewelry was provisionally valued at 1.3 million euros by the Ansorena jewelry house. www.20minutos.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.elnacional.cat · www.laregion.es · www.eldiario.es · +7 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The jewelry intercepted by UDEF was a gift from the Saudi monarchy in 2007.
[○ 1 SOURCE] King Mohamed VI of Morocco gave Zapatero necklaces worth 8,200 euros during a 2008 visit to Oujda.
[● 16 SOURCES] Zapatero's defense requested an international rogatory commission to verify the gift with Saudi Arabia. www.diariodecadiz.es · www.elnacional.cat · www.laregion.es · www.eldiario.es · www.ondacero.es · +8 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The judge ordered a new gemological report from the Yanes jewelry house. www.eldiario.es · www.ondacero.es · bilbaohiria.com · www.laregion.es · www.elnacional.cat · +1 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Zapatero's defense claims the jewelry was a personal gift from King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. www.20minutos.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.elnacional.cat · www.laregion.es · www.eldiario.es · +10 more
[● 16 SOURCES] The investigation involves potential crimes of tax fraud and smuggling. www.20minutos.es · www.elnacional.cat · bilbaohiria.com · lacronicadesalamanca.com · www.diariodecadiz.es · +8 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The jewelry was found during a search of Zapatero's office on May 19. www.eldiario.es · www.ondacero.es · www.sydkusten.es · paralalibertad.org
[● 14 SOURCES] The jewelry was delivered in Madrid at the Moncloa Palace during an official visit on June 18-19, 2007. www.diariodecadiz.es · www.20minutos.es · www.laregion.es · www.eldiario.es · bilbaohiria.com · +8 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Zapatero's defense has challenged the selection of the Yanes jewelry house as a judicial expert. www.sydkusten.es · www.farodevigo.es · lamanyana.cat · www.negocios.com