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Begoña Gómez Referred to Trial and Stripped of Passport

The decision raises political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government.

Overview

  • The judge in Madrid issued the order Saturday formally sending Begoña Gómez to trial and imposing precautionary measures that include confiscation of her passport, a ban on leaving Spain, and an obligation to sign in at court every 15 days.
  • Gómez faces four alleged offences — influence peddling, corruption in business, embezzlement (peculato) and misappropriation — linked to her management of a university chair and related academic projects.
  • The same referral and travel restrictions were applied to Gómez’s former assistant Cristina Álvarez and entrepreneur Juan Carlos Barrabés, who is accused alongside her in parts of the inquiry.
  • The judge opened a new investigatory strand into a €4 million contract funded by EU (FEDER) money awarded to a temporary consortium that includes Innova Next, but the order says Gómez is not formally accused in that new branch.
  • Right-wing private accusers including Hazte Oír pushed for the measures while the anti‑corruption prosecutor has repeatedly sought to close parts of the case; the PSOE called the measures disproportionate and defence lawyers can still appeal the order and contest the restrictions.