Overview
- The Audiencia Nacional judge formally named Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosa and longtime secretary Gertrudis Alcázar investigadas on Thursday after taking José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s statement in the Plus Ultra case.
- Police searches recovered phones, chats and jewellery and watches valued at more than €1.3 million, items now under fiscal scrutiny as investigators probe whether gifts or payments were undeclared.
- Investigators say Whathefav, the marketing firm run by Zapatero’s daughters, acted as a 'vehículo instrumental' to channel or disguise payments linked to the alleged scheme.
- Zapatero denied exercising improper influence over the 2021 SEPI rescue of Plus Ultra, said his role was limited to a bank contact, and remains free without precautionary measures while the probe continues.
- Separately, in Argentina a false on‑air claim that Jorge Messi had died prompted on‑air apologies, the dismissal of Luzu TV production staff and Florencia Peña stepping aside after corporate sanctions and public condemnation, while unrelated violent‑crime trials in Spain and Argentina also advanced this week.