The former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero appeared before the National Court on Wednesday as an investigated individual in connection with the so-called "Plus Ultra case." During his three-hour interrogation, Zapatero denied having influenced the rescue package granted to the airline Plus Ultra, which received 53 million euros in public aid during the pandemic. He also categorically denied owning any companies outside Spain and did not comment on the jewelry found in a safe in his professional office. In a statement following his testimony, Zapatero defended his innocence and stated that he had submitted a voluntary authorization allowing the court to verify the non-existence of any companies, money, financial products, or other assets under his direct or indirect ownership. He emphasized that he has nothing outside Spain.
Formally, Zapatero is being investigated for four crimes—money laundering, influence peddling, tax evasion, and smuggling—with other potential charges also under consideration. The investigating judge, José Luis Calama, positions Zapatero as the leader of an organized structure engaged in illegal influence trading in exchange for payments. Relying primarily on intercepted communications with third parties, Calama indicates that Zapatero exercised strategic leadership and maintained high-level institutional and business contacts. Zapatero responded only to questions posed by the judge and his lawyer, the renowned procedural lawyer Víctor Moreno Catena. He categorically denied influencing the rescue of 53 million euros granted by the State Agency for Industrial Participation (SEPI), one of the alleged influence routes highlighted by Calama in his indictment. This is based, among other things, on communications intercepted by the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations from the Venezuelan businessman Rodolfo Reyes Rojas, who was once the majority shareholder of Plus Ultra. One such message states, “I want to speak with SEPI, either him or Zapatero, and get at least verbal confirmation that they will grant us the help with 100% certainty,” a message the defense seeks to annul.
According to legal sources, Zapatero denied having had any contact with Plus Ultra executives. He claimed he met the current president, Julio Martínez Sola, in 2024, three years after the government approved the aid to the airline. Similarly, he denied maintaining contact with any officials regarding this matter—the indictment itself does not identify who might have influenced the decision. He also dissociated himself from the contract between Plus Ultra and Idella Consulenza Strategica, which is part of the corporate structure managed by his friend Julio Martínez Martínez. This agreement included a commission of 1% plus VAT on the approved aid, amounting to 530,000 euros.
As revealed exclusively by infoLibre, on March 17, 2021, eight days after the Council of Ministers finally approved the rescue, a company named Dubai Landside Middle East FZCO was registered, reportedly controlled entirely by Idella Consulenza Strategica. The judge claims Zapatero gave instructions for its creation. However, Zapatero denied having any companies abroad. “I have presented to the court a voluntary universal authorization to confirm the nonexistence of companies, money, financial products, or any asset under my direct or indirect ownership. Because I have absolutely nothing outside Spain,” he emphasized in a statement issued after his declaration.
Both investigators and the judge connect everything with the payments that Zapatero and the company run by his daughters—Whathefav—received from entities linked to the network. Particularly, from the consultancy Análisis Relevante, which has between...
The former prime minister published a full statement shortly after appearing before Judge José Luis Calama, who is investigating the 53 million euro rescue granted to the airline Plus Ultra. The judge accuses Zapatero of four crimes—influence peddling, money laundering, smuggling, and a crime against public finances.
Judge José Luis Calama rejected the imposition of precautionary measures for Zapatero after his appearance as an investigated person before the National Court. The magistrate concluded there is no risk of flight or destruction of evidence that would justify revoking his passport or requiring him to appear periodically before the court, given that he is a person of public notoriety. However, he noted that Zapatero’s statement did not serve to eliminate the indications against him.
The Public Prosecution Service Against Corruption had requested the judge to revoke Zapatero's passport, require him to appear before the court every 15 days, and prohibit him from leaving Spain without authorization. Popular accusations were divided. The PP, which leads the popular prosecution, had requested the same as the Public Prosecution Service—that Zapatero's passport be revoked and that he appear before the court every 15 days. The rest, Vox, Hazte Oír, and Iustitia Europa, wanted the former socialist leader to be placed under provisional arrest.
The ruling provides important updates on the status of the case. The judge considers that there are indications that part of the money from the Plus Ultra rescue may have passed through the accounts of the former prime minister. He also notes that the information found in the mobile phones seized in November, added to what was cloned in the United States from Rodolfo Reyes, former owner of Plus Ultra, in 2021, are indicators pointing to Zapatero.
In addition, Judge Calama adds the “use of multiple commercial companies that are indicatively instrumental,” without specifying which ones, and the jewels found in his office, about which the magistrate says neither their origin nor their corresponding tax and customs clearance has been proven.
During the interrogation by Magistrate José Luis Calama, which lasted three hours, Zapatero stated that he did not exercise any influence to favor the airline Plus Ultra in order for it to obtain the 53 million euro public rescue during the pandemic, according to legal sources familiar with the content of his statement. The former prime minister specified that he did not contact any official or authority regarding this rescue.
As expected, Zapatero did not answer questions related to the discovery of jewelry valued at 1.3 million euros in a safe in his office. In this regard, the former prime minister said he is gathering information and will request to testify on the matter within a week or ten days. His environment explained that part of the jewelry came from an inheritance of Sonsoles Espinosa, and another part was “gifts from travels.”
Zapatero is being investigated for his supposed role as the leader of an “organized and stable structure” dedicated to the illegal exercise of influence. In the case, indications of up to seven crimes are being investigated: organized crime, influence peddling, embezzlement, document forgery, money laundering, smuggling, and against public finances.
Zapatero arrived at the National Court on Wednesday fully aware that his words would have repercussions far beyond the room where Judge Instructor José Luis Calama was going to question him. The former prime minister, who was in power from 2004 to 2011 and has been an undisputed reference in the left in this last legislative period of Pedro Sánchez, left with the impression that it had been an “demanding interrogation,” but with the reassurance of having answered almost all the questions, according to sources close to him. He knew that not only the magistrate of the Plus Ultra case was expecting his explanations. And, over more than three hours, he defended his innocence: “It will take us more or less time to prove it, but the truth will prevail,” he added in a statement sent to the media after the declaration. However, for the judge, many mysteries remain to be clarified, investigations to be carried out, and suspicions that have not dissipated.
The audio of Zapatero’s declaration before the judge reveals: “I had no intervention. I didn’t talk to anyone, absolutely no one, from the public sector about the rescue of Plus Ultra. And that is an unquestionable truth.” Thus responded the former prime minister of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, to Judge José Luis Calama during his interrogation on Wednesday at the National Court, according to the audio of that declaration, which elDiario.es has accessed.
The 53 million euro rescue granted to the airline Plus Ultra during the pandemic is at the origin of the investigations and was one of the issues focused on during the magistrate’s interrogation. Intercepted messages from other investigated individuals include “constant references” from Plus Ultra executives to using what they called the “Zapatero route” to overcome difficulties in processing the aid. They show confidence that the former prime minister would give a “technical touch from above,” boasting of having “the buddy Zapatero behind” them and admitting their willingness to pay bribes.
Before the judge, Zapatero defended that he had not exercised “any absolute influence” in the aforementioned rescue and maintained that “all” his “professional activity” had been conducted “according to legality.” He admitted only having spoken once with Banco Santander executive Juan Manuel Cendoya to receive executives of the airline in a “management similar” to what he has done for “many people.”
He did not sign a contract with Análisis Relevante
At the center of the investigations are the supposed consulting services he performed for Análisis Relevante, the consultancy of his friend Julio Martínez Martínez, for which he earned half a million euros. The thesis of the investigators is that, in reality, he was paid in exchange for mediating in the rescue of Plus Ultra and other practices of influence peddling, an extreme that Zapatero categorically denied. “This language I radically reject,” he replied when the magistrate asked him about the references from other indicted individuals to the supposed payment of a “
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infoLibreNeovisanSredinaČinjenice 90Objektivnost 85prije 18 danaBivši španjolski premijer José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero pojavio se pred Nacionalnim sudom kao osoba pod istragom u slučaju "Plus Ultra". Tijekom svog trogodišnjeg svjedočenja, on je negirao bilo kakvu umiješanost u spašavanje Plus Ultra, kategorički je negirao da ima tvrtke izvan Španjolske i nije komentirao dragulje zaplijenjene iz sefa u njegovom poslovnom uredu. U izjavi nakon svoje izjave, Zapatero je branio svoju nevinost i izjavio da je pružio "dobrovoljno opće ovlaštenje" za provjeru "nepostojanja" "poduzeća, novca, financijskih proizvoda ili bilo kakve imovine" u
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku se navodi Zapaterovo poricanje umiješanosti i njegova pravna obrana bez otvorene naklonosti bilo kojoj strani. Uključuje detalje iz istrage i citate sudaca koji nadzire slučaj, pružajući uravnotežen prikaz situacije.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 90 · Objektivnost 85): The article presents Zapatero’s denial of involvement in the Plus Ultra rescue and his defense of innocence. It includes quotes and legal context, aligning with other sources. It remains objective by focusing on statements and legal proceedings rather than opinion.
El PaísNeovisan🔒SredinaČinjenice 90Objektivnost 85prije 18 danaBivši španjolski premijer José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero objavio je izjavu nakon što se pojavio pred nacionalnim sudom José Luis Calama, koji istražuje paket pomoći koju je vlada pružila zrakoplovnoj tvrtki Plus Ultra u vrijednosti od 53 milijuna eura.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku su prikazane činjenične informacije bez otvoreno pristrasnog jezika ili selektivnog prikupljanja izvora.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 90 · Objektivnost 85): The article accurately reports the judicial decision regarding Zapatero’s passport and the ongoing investigation. It presents the facts without bias, citing the judge’s reasoning and the positions of different parties involved.
elDiario.esNeovisanSredinaČinjenice 90Objektivnost 85prije 18 danaSudija nacionalnog suda odbacio je mjere poput oduzimanja putovnice bivšem španjolskom premijeru José Luisu Rodríguezu Zapateru nakon što ga je Nacionalni sud proglasio istraživom osobom. Sudac je zaključio da nema rizika od bekstva ili uništavanja dokaza koji bi opravdali takve radnje, napominjući Zapaterov javni profil. Međutim, sudac je naglasio da svjedočanstvo Zapatera ne uklanja postojeće sumnje protiv njega.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku je predstavljena sudska odluka bez otvorene naklonosti bilo kojoj strani.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 90 · Objektivnost 85): This article accurately describes the court's rejection of measures against Zapatero and provides details on the legal proceedings. It remains objective by presenting facts without clear bias towards any political group.
El PaísNeovisan🔒SredinaČinjenice 90Objektivnost 85prije 25 dana Zapatero traži od suda da zatraži više informacija o prekidu mobilnog telefona vlasnika Plus Ultra-aAdvokat bivšeg španskog premijera Jose Luisa Rodríguez Zapatera zamolio je sudiju Nacionalnog suda koji nadgleda slučaj Plus Ultra da zatraži više informacija od Sjedinjenih Država u vezi s okolnostima u kojima je mobilni telefon vlasnika zrakoplovstva Rodolfa Reyesa zaplenjen 2021.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku se prikazuju pravni argumenti koji je predložio Zapateroov tim obrane bez otvorene uglednosti bilo kojoj strani.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 90 · Objektivnost 85): This article clearly explains the U.S. border inspection policies and how they apply to individuals like Rodolfo Reyes. It references official sources such as the CBP and provides context about the legality of device inspections. The tone is informative and objective, presenting facts without overt
elDiario.esNeovisanSredinaČinjenice 90Objektivnost 80prije 25 dana Zapatero traži od suda da zatraži više informacija od SAD-a o tome kako je dobio ključni dokaz za optužbu.Odbrana bivšeg španskog premijera Jose Luisa Rodríguez Zapatera podnijela je dokument sudiji Nacionalnog suda José Luisa Calama u kojem izražava sumnje u nabavku i pravilno rukovanje sadržajem mobilnih telefona koji su američki agenti presreli u 2021. od Rodolfa Reyesa, poslovnog čovjeka koji je tada bio glavni dioničar Plus Ultra.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku se prikazuju činjenice bez otvorene povlačenja bilo kojoj strani.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 90 · Objektivnost 80): This article presents the defense's request for more information from the US regarding evidence against Zapatero with factual details. It remains neutral in tone, focusing on procedural aspects rather than taking sides, though it does highlight concerns about due process.
elDiario.esNeovisanSredinaČinjenice 85Objektivnost 80prije 23 dana Nova istraga u Zapateru zbog nakit koji je zaplenjen u njegovoj kancelariji otežava njegovu sudsku budućnostBivši španski premijer José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero suočava se s novim pravnim komplikacijama zbog istrage o nakitom pronađenom u sef u njegovoj uredu.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku se nalaze činjenične detalje o tekućoj istrazi, bez otvorene uglednosti bilo kojoj strani.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 85 · Objektivnost 80): The article explains the delivery of key recordings by the Trump administration to the UDEF before Zapatero's indictment, offering relevant context without bias.
elDiario.esNeovisanSredinaČinjenice 85Objektivnost 80prije 26 dana SAD je pet godina trajalo da pošalje u Španjolsku šate venezuelanskog biznismena koji su bili ključni za optužbu za ZapateraŠpanski sudac naredio je izdavanje europske istražne naredbe za dobivanje mobilnih chat podataka od venecuelanskog biznismena Rodolfa Reyesa, što je bilo ključno u umiješanju bivšeg premijera Josea Luisa Rodrígueza Zapatera u slučaj trgovanja utjecajem.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku se nalaze činjenične detalje o pravnim postupcima i vremenskim rokovima, bez otvorene uglednosti političke strane.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 85 · Objektivnost 80): This article repeats the core information from previous reports about the U.S. sending the phone data and the judge’s request to use it as evidence. It is factual but slightly less detailed compared to earlier articles, yet remains objective.
El PaísNeovisan🔒SredinaČinjenice 85Objektivnost 75prije 18 dana Sudac je održao optužbu Zapatera nakon izraznog ispitivanja i četiri izvori dokazaBivši španjolski premijer José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero pojavio se pred Nacionalnim sudom u sklopu Plus Ultra slučaja.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku su prikazane činjenice bez da se otvoreno favorizira bilo koja strana.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 85 · Objektivnost 75): The article provides detailed information about Zapatero’s interrogation and his defense of innocence, aligning with other reports on the case. However, it includes some subjective phrasing like ‘interrogatorio exigente’ and quotes Zapatero’s statement, which may reflect a slight bias toward his pos
infoLibreNeovisanLijevoČinjenice 85Objektivnost 75prije 24 dana Sud je u najmanje dva slučaja poništio dokaze američke agencije koja je upućila na Zapatera.José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, koji je u nacionalnom sudu Španjolske istražen kao potencijalni vođa kriminalne organizacije koja je uključena u trgovinu utjecajem, među ostalim optužbama, zatražio je od istražitelja slučaja da zatraži informacije u Sjedinjenim Državama o tome kako je istraživačka služba za nacionalnu sigurnost (HSI) dobila ključni dokaz protiv njega.
Procjena pristranosti (Lijevo): U članku je predstavljen Zapatero kao optuženik koji nastoji osporiti valjanost dokaza dobivenih u SAD-u, potencijalno potkopavajući istragu.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 85 · Objektivnost 75): The article accurately describes Zapatero’s request for more information from the U.S. regarding evidence obtained by the HSI. It provides details about the case and the potential implications for the investigation, aligning with the cross-source consensus. The tone remains relatively neutral, thoug
infoLibreNeovisanSredinaČinjenice 85Objektivnost 75prije 25 dana Zapateroova obrana traži da se zatraže od SAD ključne podatke o porukama koje traže bivšeg predsjednikaOdbrambeni tim bivšeg španskog premijera Jose Luisa Rodríguez Zapatera zatražio je da se od Sjedinjenih Država dobiju ključne informacije u vezi s porukama vezanih za njegovu istragu. Pravni tim, predvođen poznatim procesnim odvjetnikom Víctorom Moreno Catenom, podnio je dokument Nacionalnom sudu tražeći od istražitelja slučaja, sudaca Jose Luisa Calame, da proširi sudski zahtjev SAD-u za dobivanje podataka o telefonskom ispuštanju poslovnika Rodolfa Reyeza Rojasa, koji je bio glavni dioničar u uključenoj tvrtki.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku se nalaze činjenične detalje o pravnim postupcima koji su uključili bivšeg premijera, bez otvorene uglednosti političke strane.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 85 · Objektivnost 75): The article provides detailed information about Zapatero's defense requesting data from the US, citing specific messages found in Rojas' phone. The facts align with the cross-source consensus, though some phrases like 'parquedad' may imply bias.
infoLibreNeovisanSredinaČinjenice 85Objektivnost 65prije 26 dana Sjedinjene Države poslale su policiji ključne poruke protiv Zapatera nakon "ne na rat" Sancheza TrampuU izvještaju je objavljeno da je u utorak u Londonu, u kojem je uhapšen i uhapšen, u kojem je uhapšen i u kojem je uhapšen, uhapšen i uhapšen, i da je uhapšen, a u kojem je uhapšen, uhapšen i uhapšen, uhapšen, uhapšen i uhapšen.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku se nalaze činjenične detalje o prijenosu dokaza između američkih i španskih vlasti, bez otvorene uglednosti političke strane.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 85 · Objektivnost 65): Article provides details about the case involving Zapatero and mentions the involvement of UDEF and HSI, but lacks clarity on the full context of the investigation. It references a legal document but does not provide enough information to verify its accuracy. The tone leans towards sensationalism, s
El PaísNeovisan🔒SredinaČinjenice 80Objektivnost 85prije 25 dana Odakle je mobilni telefon koji je sudac zatražio od SAD-a u slučaju o Zapateru? Zašto je predao Španjolskoj pet godina kasnije?Španski sudac zatražio je suradnju američkih vlasti kako bi se omogućilo pristup sadržaju mobilnog telefona koji je prethodno kloniran bez sudske odobrenje.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku se nalaze činjenične informacije o pravnom postupku u kojem se uključuje vrlo povlačen pojedinac, a ne otvoreno favorizira bilo koju političku stranu.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 80 · Objektivnost 85): The article provides factual information about the closure of a brothel and the resulting protest. It includes quotes from demonstrators and describes the legal action taken by the court. The reporting remains neutral and objective.
El MundoNeovisan🔒SredinaČinjenice 80Objektivnost 75prije 25 danaOdbrana bivšeg španskog premijera Jose Luisa Rodrígueza Zapatera zatražila je detaljne informacije od američkih vlasti u vezi s načinom na koji su dobili sadržaj mobilnog telefona koji navodno uključuje Zapatera u slučaj Plus Ultra. Telefon je bio vlasnik venecuelanskog biznismena Rodolfa Reyes Rojas, koji je posjedovao Plus Ultra tijekom operacije koja je uključivala povlačenje 53 milijuna eura od španske vlade.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku se prikazuju pravni argumenti koje je Zapateroova obrana izdala bez otvoreno favoriziranja bilo koje strane.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 80 · Objektivnost 75): Article focuses on Cerdán’s personal experience and his critique of the narrative around him. It includes subjective reflections but remains grounded in reported events.
elDiario.esNeovisanSredinaČinjenice 80Objektivnost 65prije 17 dana Audiji izjave Zapatera pred sucem: "Nisam intervenirao u spašavanju Plus Ultre i to je neosporna istina"U ispitivanju u Nacionalnom sudu, bivši španjolski premijer José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero negirao je bilo kakvu umiješanost u spasavanje od 53 milijuna eura odobreno zrakoplovnoj tvrtki Plus Ultra tijekom pandemije. izjavio je da nije imao kontakta s nikim u vezi s upravljanjem spasavanjem iz javnog sektora i nazvao ovu činjenicu "nesumnjivom". Istraga o spasavanju povezana je s porukama presretnima od drugih pojedinaca pod istragom, koje uključuju česte reference na ono što se naziva "Zapaterova ruta" za zaobilaženje birokratskih prepreka. Ove poruke sugeriraju povjerenje da Zapá
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku se prikazuje Zapaterovo poricanje umiješanosti u Plus Ultra spašavanje, bez da se otvoreno favoriziraju njegove tvrdnje ili implikacije presretnutih poruka.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 80 · Objektivnost 65): The article discusses allegations against Zapatero and mentions the valuation of jewels, which is factually presented. However, the tone leans towards sensationalism, suggesting possible contraband rather than presenting evidence objectively.
elDiario.esNeovisanSredinaČinjenice 70Objektivnost 65prije 19 dana Od spašavanja Plus Ultre do plaćanja kćerima: Zapatero svjedoči pred sucem u slučaju koji istražuje sedam zločinaBivši španjolski premijer José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero trebao bi se pojaviti pred Nacionalnim sudom kao osoba pod istragom u slučaju koji uključuje do sedam navodnih zločina, uključujući organizirani kriminal, trgovinu utjecajem i utaju poreza.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): Članak prikazuje činjenične informacije o sudskim postupcima protiv bivšeg predsjednika bez otvoreno pristranog jezika ili selektivnog prikupljanja izvora.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 70 · Objektivnost 65): Focuses more on political implications and internal party dynamics rather than the legal aspects. Less factual depth compared to others and shows some bias in emphasizing Zapatero’s impact on the PSOE.
El ConfidencialNeovisan🔒SredinaČinjenice 70Objektivnost 60prije 27 danaU članku se izvještava da su Sjedinjene Države u ožujku poslale ključni mobilni telefon povezan s slučajem Zapatero, a sud je zatražio da ga koristi kao dokaz.
Procjena pristranosti (Sredina): U članku se nalaze činjenične informacije bez očigledne pristranosti, a fokus je na pravni postupak i sudjelovanje međunarodnih subjekata.
Zašto ove ocjene (Činjenice 70 · Objektivnost 60): The article shifts focus to Pedro Sánchez and his potential imputation, which is not central to the main event being reported. It introduces a different angle without sufficient context, leading to lower factuality and objectivity scores.
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