Luxury jewels unearthed from former Spanish PM lead to fresh investigation

Sat Jun 13 2026 14:14:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Spain’s former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is under fresh scrutiny after €1.2 million worth of gold and gemstone jewellery was found in his safe, raising questions about tax fraud and customs duties.

A discovery of high-value jewellery in the safe of former Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has triggered a new investigation. The pieces, worth €1.2m, consist of gold, sapphires and emeralds allegedly from Zambia or Thailand, and may have been bought without declared customs duties. Zapatero is also being examined for potential tax fraud and smuggling in light of past probes into a €53m government bailout of airline Plus Ultra. His ally Pedro Sánchez is facing his own corse scandals, and this marks the first time a former Spanish premier has been formally investigated.

Luxury jewels unearthed from former Spanish PM lead to fresh investigation

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in a suit — José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero (Getty Images)

A police raid on the Spanish Socialist Party's headquarters earlier this year netted a cache of gold and gemstone jewellery worth €1.2 million (about £1.0 million). The items, consisting of necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings, were found in the safe of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Their value and the circumstances of their purchase have raised serious questions about customs duty payments and potential tax evasion.

Zapatero, who led Spain from 2004 to 2011, already faces a probe into alleged influence‑peddling over a €53 million government bailout of airline Plus Ultra in 2021. The current investigation asks whether he received the jewellery or any commission in exchange for facilitating the deal. He has denied any wrongdoing.

"He will provide explanations before the judge," said Zapatero's spokesman Luis Arroyo.

Authorities suspect Zapatero cannot produce evidence of payment of customs duties for the items. The investigation now includes allegations of smuggling and tax fraud. He is scheduled to testify in court later this month.

The case adds weight to an ongoing corruption scandal that has hit the Socialist Party. Police have also searched homes of senior party figures and a major businessman, and the wife and brother of current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez are facing charges. All deny any malfeasance.

If the allegations are proven, this will mark the first formal investigation of a former Spanish prime minister in recent history, underscoring a growing scrutiny of political elites in Spain.