The statement of the directors of Plus Ultra and the origin of the jewels mark the present judicial of Zapatero

The Spanish judiciary has resumed its investigation into former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero following a summer break, with new developments centered around the recovery of assets linked to his past political career. The case, which involves allegations of illicit influence and financial misconduct, has gained renewed attention after the police were authorized to access over sixty bank accounts associated with Zapatero, his associates, and several companies suspected of funneling funds through them. Among these entities is Plus Ultra, the airline whose rescue became the focal point of the investigation. The court has ordered further scrutiny into the role of Venezuela within this network and has scheduled statements from the former president and CEO of Plus Ultra, who have implicated Zapatero in receiving a commission of 530,000 euros for facilitating the company’s financial aid. These upcoming testimonies could significantly complicate Zapatero's legal situation, especially given the recent confession of Julio Martínez Martínez, a long-time associate who previously served as administrator of a consulting firm that paid Zapatero for alleged advisory services over five years. Martinez, who has since cooperated with authorities, claimed that Zapatero played a central role in efforts to secure assistance for Plus Ultra, though he did not specify how or to whom Zapatero exerted pressure or how much he was compensated for such actions. The judge overseeing the case, José Luis Calama, has continued to position Zapatero at the heart of an organized scheme aimed at exercising illegal influence on behalf of various business figures. His investigation has expanded beyond the initial focus on Plus Ultra to include advisory work for Análisis Relevante, a consultancy run by one of Zapatero’s close friends, and other Latin American enterprises. Additionally, the inquiry now includes the discovery of valuable jewelry by the UDEF unit in a safe deposit box at Zapatero’s office in Ferraz. This aspect of the case has drawn considerable public interest due to its media impact. The issue of the jewelry, which has become a major point of contention, remains unresolved. Nearly three months after their seizure, Zapatero has yet to provide an explanation for their origin. Initially valued between 30,000 and 50,000 euros by his circle, the items were later assessed by a reputable jeweler, who estimated their true worth at approximately 1.3 million euros. In a July interview with TVE, Zapatero described the pieces as gifts with no specific use or destination, stored alongside family jewels. He stated that a separate appraisal would challenge the current valuation, but he has not fulfilled his commitment to address the matter before the National Court, despite having promised to do so ten days after his testimony. The court has requested a more detailed analysis of the jewelry to determine when the most valuable pieces were set, including a white gold necklace studded with diamonds and two natural emeralds sourced from Zambia. These findings will likely play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of the case. In addition to the ongoing inquiries, the court has also set the date for the testimony of Zapatero’s daughters, who have been included in the investigation. The judge has identified Whathefav, a marketing agency operated by the sisters, as the primary recipient of funds from the network involving Julio Martínez, second only to Zapatero himself. Preliminary police investigations revealed that the agency received 800,000 euros from companies connected to the businessman’s ventures.