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Zapatero faces new judicial orders in Plus Ultra jewelry and tax probe
Judge José Luis Calama of the Audiencia Nacional has issued several rulings in the 'Plus Ultra case,' which investigates irregularities regarding a 53 million euro public loan granted to the airline Plus Ultra in 2021.
As part of a separate investigation into potential tax crimes and smuggling, the judge has given former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero three days to provide all documentation regarding luxury jewelry found in his office safe. The pieces, initially valued at 1.3 million euros by Ansorena, are subject to a new expert gemological report by Yanes jewelry to determine their origin, precious metal content, and current replacement value.
Additionally, the judge has summoned Zapatero’s daughters, Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosa, to testify as investigated parties on November 30. The investigation explores whether their company, What The Fav, was used to facilitate irregular financial flows. The Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office has also requested a comprehensive tax and fiscal study from the ONIF covering the period between 2020 and 2025.
Witnesses José Ángel Partearroyo, former director of Participadas of SEPI, and Félix Martín, former financial director of Plus Ultra, are scheduled to testify on November 19.
Entities
Alba Rodríguez Espinosa · Audiencia Nacional · Exclusividades Vagú · José Luis Calama · José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero · Joyería Yanes · Laura Rodríguez Espinosa · PDVSA · Plus Ultra · Yanes
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] José Ángel Partearroyo and Félix Martín have been summoned as witnesses for November 19. www.moncloa.com · www.20minutos.es · www.informacion.es · www.diariodesevilla.es · www.elcorreoweb.es · +2 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The invoice to Uldono Ltd covered luxury watches and jewelry from brands including Rolex and Patek Philippe.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The judge requested a new gemological and jewelry expert report from Yanes jewelry regarding seized items. www.moncloa.com · www.20minutos.es · www.informacion.es · www.diariodesevilla.es · www.elcorreoweb.es · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Venezuelan jeweler Exclusividades Vagú issued a 5,083,129 euro invoice to Uldono Ltd in January 2017.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Uldono Ltd is linked to investigations regarding the international movement of funds from PDVSA.
- [● 13 SOURCES] Judge José Luis Calama has summoned Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosa to testify as investigated parties on November 30. www.moncloa.com · www.20minutos.es · www.informacion.es · www.diariodesevilla.es · www.elcorreoweb.es · +7 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The expert report must identify the geographic area of creation, precious metals, current replacement value, and antiquity of the pieces. www.moncloa.com · www.20minutos.es · www.informacion.es · www.diariodesevilla.es · www.elcorreoweb.es · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The judge has given José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero three days to provide all documentation regarding the seized jewelry. www.moncloa.com · www.informacion.es · www.diariodesevilla.es · www.elcorreoweb.es · www.eldiadecordoba.es · +3 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The jewelry firm Ansorena initially valued the seized jewelry at 1.3 million euros. www.eldiadecordoba.es · www.lavanguardia.com · dominicanaaldia.com · contrapunto.com · www.3cat.cat
- [● 5 SOURCES] The judge has given former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero three days to provide documentation regarding the seized jewelry. www.diariodesevilla.es · www.eldiadecordoba.es · www.elnacional.cat · okdiario.com · www.lavanguardia.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office has requested a tax and fiscal study of Zapatero and his daughters from the ONIF. www.diariodeleon.es · theobjective.com
- [● 15 SOURCES] The investigation is part of the 'Plus Ultra case' regarding a 53 million euro public loan granted to the airline Plus Ultra in 2021. dominicanaaldia.com · elinformadorve.com · contrapunto.com · www.moncloa.com · www.informacion.es · +9 more