Judge Peinado speeds up and gives five days to present the writ of accusation against Begoña Gómez before the decision of the Provincial Court

The Audiencia Provincial of Madrid has ordered the prosecution to submit its written arguments within five days against Begoña Gómez, following a decision that partially overturned a previous ruling. Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who had initially sought to pursue the case through the jury trial process, has expedited the proceedings. The court’s order comes after the Sección 23 of the Audiencia Provincial ruled that certain charges, specifically those related to misappropriation and corruption in business dealings, should be removed from the indictment. Instead, the court has authorized a trial by jury for two remaining charges: abuse of office and abuse of influence. In a detailed resolution made available to elDiario.es, the judge expressed regret over learning of the Audiencia’s decision via the press rather than through official channels. He emphasized that the court’s new directive requires the public prosecutor, the University Complutense of Madrid, and the defense to file preliminary conclusions within five days. This move aligns with the Audiencia’s mandate, which called for the case to proceed under the jury system. The judge noted that this shift means Begoña Gómez will face a jury of nine residents from the Community of Madrid, who will determine her guilt or innocence based on the two remaining charges. The case against Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, was opened in 2024 by Judge Peinado. Initially, he had intended to charge her with four offenses, including financial misconduct and corruption. However, the Audiencia Provincial rejected his request to include charges of misappropriation and corruption in business matters. Despite this, the court upheld the need for a jury trial, as the two remaining charges, abuse of office and abuse of influence, are considered serious enough to warrant such a proceeding. Over 90 percent of cases heard by a jury in Spain result in conviction, according to judicial statistics. Judge Peinado’s role in the case has been marked by a series of procedural adjustments. His initial decision to pursue the case through the jury system was met with resistance from the Audiencia Provincial, which argued that some of the charges were not sufficiently substantiated. After months of deliberation, the court ultimately supported the judge’s approach but narrowed the scope of the charges. The judge has since directed that all necessary testimony and documentation be submitted to the General Service for Registration and Distribution so that the case can continue under the appropriate legal framework. Meanwhile, the status of Juan Carlos Barrabés, another individual implicated in the investigation, remains under review. The court has instructed that further witness statements be obtained and that all materials be forwarded to the relevant service for processing. This ensures that the case proceeds efficiently once the jury trial begins. The selection of jurors for Begoña Gómez’s trial is currently underway. Nine citizens, along with two alternates, will be chosen to serve on the panel. The process reflects the broader significance of the jury system in Spanish criminal justice, which allows laypeople to participate directly in determining the outcome of high-profile cases. The trial is expected to highlight the complexities of legal procedures and the political implications of prosecuting a spouse of the head of government. As the deadline for submitting preliminary conclusions approaches, all parties involved, prosecution, defense, and the university, will have until five days from the date of the Audiencia’s decision to prepare their submissions. The upcoming phase of the case will set the stage for the jury trial, marking a critical step in the legal journey of Begoña Gómez.