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Judge imputes Zapatero in Plus Ultra money‑laundering probe

newsMay 19, 202625108

Judge José Luis Calama of the Audiencia Nacional has formally imputed former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in the Plus Ultra probe for money laundering tied to the €53 million government rescue loan the airline received during the COVID pandemic. The judge's order opens a formal judicial inquiry into the use and destination of those emergency funds and possible wrongdoing by public officials. Zapatero resigned from the Council of State after leaving office and therefore does not have aforamiento, so ordinary courts will handle any proceedings. The development moves the Plus Ultra case from administrative scrutiny to direct criminal investigation and raises new questions about oversight of pandemic-era rescue aid.

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