Zapatero’s Daughters Summoned in Plus Ultra Case, Jewelry Under Scrutiny

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Zapatero's Daughters Summoned in Plus Ultra Case, Jewelry Under Scrutiny

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Judge José Luis Calama of Spain’s National Court has called Laura and Alba Rodríguez Espinosa, daughters of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, to testify on November 30 as part of the “Plus Ultra case” investigation. Laura is scheduled for 9:00 AM and Alba for 12:00 PM.

The investigation centers on a €53 million state bailout provided to the airline Plus Ultra in 2021 by the Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales (SEPI). Investigators suspect the rescue was secured through influence peddling. Judge Calama declared Zapatero a suspect in May 2026, alleging he led a structure to trade influence for financial gain. He faces potential charges including organized crime, influence peddling, and document forgery, with a possible extension to money laundering.

The inquiry has focused on Whathefav, a communications firm run by Zapatero’s daughters, which prosecutors allege was used to channel payments tied to the scheme. The judge’s ruling estimated that Zapatero and those close to him received approximately €1.95 million, with roughly €423,779 going to his two daughters through their company. Between 2021 and 2025, transfers from Whathefav to their personal accounts totaled over €447,000.

In a separate but related development, Judge Calama has given Zapatero three days to provide documentation regarding jewelry valued at €1.3 million found in a safe at his office during a May 2026 search. The origin of these pieces is currently not justified, and their possession without clear fiscal traceability could indicate tax evasion or smuggling. The former prime minister stated in a July 2026 interview that the jewelry was a “personal courtesy gift” received many years ago, but he declined to reveal the country of origin. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has requested a new report to determine the current market value and manufacturing date of the jewelry.

Zapatero testified for over three hours on June 17, 2026, denying all accusations and stating he never exerted pressure to favor the airline. The investigation remains in the preliminary inquiry phase.

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