[REVISION HISTORY]

Investigation expands into Zapatero's Plus Ultra ties

Updated 14 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-09 06:13 UTC → 2026-09-11 12:05 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The investigation into former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero regarding the €53 million state-backed rescue of Plus Ultra has expanded to include complex international financial flows, significant asset seizures, and testimony regarding political influence. UDEF investigators have identified suspicious transactions involving Julio Martínez Martínez, the alleged frontman for Zapatero. Martínez Martínez’s company, Nez Asesores, reportedly conducted a cross-border currency operation of €181,037 and moved over €1.3 million through its accounts. Zapatero is alleged to have personally received approximately €500,000 from various companies with Chinese or Asian ~~capital, including €208,792~~ capital. Testimony from Hong Kong-based firms Chinalink Asia Holdings Limited and Yuewee International Trade Limited. Recent testimony before the Audiencia Nacional has provided further detail on the alleged influence peddling. Former former Plus Ultra ~~president~~ executives Roberto Roselli and Julio Martínez Sola ~~testified that Zapatero contacted him via a hidden number in April 2020 to offer assistance.~~ has detailed alleged influence peddling. Martínez Sola confirmed the airline paid approximately €530,000—roughly 1% of the rescue amount—to entities linked to Martínez ~~Martínez, specifically Análisis Relevante, Voli Analítica, and IOT Domotic Europe,~~ Martínez for ~~what were described as~~ ‘accompaniment’ services to facilitate the 2021 SEPI rescue package. ~~Former CEO Roberto~~ Roselli ~~also testified, claiming~~ testified that Zapatero was aware of the rescue a week before its official approval. ~~The investigation, led~~ New developments show UDEF is examining Excel files sent by Zapatero to Martínez containing lists of individuals that may link him to investigated business entities. Concurrently, Judge Ismael Moreno of the Audiencia Nacional is leading a separate probe into PSOE finances between 2017 and 2024, focusing on cash payment discrepancies involving former minister José Luis ~~Calama~~ Ábalos and ~~Prosecutor Elena Lorente, is now examining the 2018 use~~ advisor Koldo García. While Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has defended Zapatero’s presumption of innocence, Minister Óscar Puente has described him as a ~~Luxembourg-based platform, ‘Modus’,~~ political ‘asset’ for the PSOE, though he questioned the validity of evidence linked to ~~secure $9.66 million~~ a phone cloning incident in ~~financing from Venezuelan capital. Authorities have executed widespread asset seizures, including cash, jewelry, and watches valued at millions of euros across Spain and~~ the United States.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.