Shoemaker, in a dead end with the jewels: either admits embezzlement or lied to the judge about its origin

Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero faces escalating legal jeopardy regarding high-value jewels hidden in his office safe, which he failed to declare to tax authorities. Judge Jose Luis Calama, investigating the Plus Ultra case, ordered the State Property Directorate to provide certified copies of records documenting institutional gifts received by the government during the 2004 to 2008 and 2008 to 2011 legislative terms. The judge requested these documents within two days. Prosecutors argue this evidence will prove that if Zapatero’s claim that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz gave him the jewels in 2007 is true, the former leader committed aggravated embezzlement of public funds, a crime that has not expired under statute of limitations laws. Zapatero maintains the precious stones were a gift from the Saudi monarch during a visit to Spain in 2007. However, Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Maria Elena Lorente contends the items were likely an illegal commission paid in kind for services rendered, rather than an official diplomatic present. The prosecution notes that while another valuable item from the same king, a gold desk clock with emeralds, was formally handed over to State Property on March 1, 2012, the jewels remained undisclosed. The jewels, including emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, were valued at 1.3 million euros by auction house Ansorena after their discovery in May. The defense attempted to validate the origin of the items by obtaining certificates from Saudi Arabia, but the Saudi regime refused to issue such documentation. Consequently, Zapatero submitted letters to the National Court without proof of receipt. The prosecutor’s office dismissed these documents as lacking documentary justification for their dates or reception at the Madrid Embassy. Lorente stated that accepting the validity of these letters requires pure voluntarism. She highlighted that during his testimony on June 18, 2026, Zapatero did not mention having written to the UAE embassy two days prior, further undermining the credibility of his account. Records from State Property show that Zapatero declared nearly 500 gifts upon leaving the Moncloa Palace, yet no jewelry resembling the seized items appeared in the list. The inventory includes diverse items from world leaders, such as a silver eagle sculpture from Mexican businessman Carlos Slim, silver elephants from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and a silver sword from Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Gifts from Arab nations included a falcon and wooden stand from the Emir of Qatar, a silver scimitar from Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and a saddle from Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Other entries include a silver censer from Oman, a plate with gold inlays from Morocco’s Mohammed VI, and a silver tea set from Syrian Minister Mohsen Bilal. The closest items to jewelry listed were a silver jewel box from the president of Caja Granada in 2004 and silver pins for a poncho from Nestor Kirchner. Prosecutors believe the current strategy of the defense, aimed at proving the fraud tax charge has prescribed and annulling the smuggling charge, will backfire. By acknowledging he accepted high-value items as prime minister and failed to deliver them to the state, Zapatero effectively admits to elements of embezzlement. Lorente indicated in her report that the former leader’s version implies he kept the jewels instead of transferring them to State Property, unlike other gifts he surrendered at the end of his presidency. The court is currently awaiting the certified records requested by Judge Calama to finalize its assessment of the charges. The investigation continues to focus on whether the items constituted illicit payments or improperly retained public assets.