A million-euro stash of jewellery found in a safe belonging to Spain’s former prime minister was a diplomatic gift from Saudi Arabia, it has been claimed.
The €1.3m haul in question contains diamond-encrusted necklaces, broaches, watches and more and was found in the office of ex-PSOE PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
They were discovered last month during a series of searches linked to the Plus Ultra case – a sweeping corruption probe investigating the Covid-era government bailout of the Plus Ultra airline.
A judge ordered Zapatero to appear before a court to answer questions about the origin of the jewels, which are now subject to a separate investigation – however he refused to answer the judge’s questions.
Now, according to sources close to the former PSOE leader, cited by Spanish state broadcaster TVE, the pieces were allegedly presented during an official visit by the late Saudi king to Spain in 2007.
The collection, which was initially valued at just €30,000 to €50,000 before court experts placed its worth at around €1.3million, was discovered in a safe during a police search of Zapatero’s Madrid office last month.
Investigators are examining whether any customs, tax or declaration obligations were breached.
Feijoo attacks Zapatero
The claims sparked an immediate political row, with opposition leader Alberto Nuñez Feijóo accusing Zapatero of failing to properly explain the origin of the jewellery.
Speaking on Spanish television, Feijoo said the former prime minister should have held a press conference and provided a full account of how he came into possession of the pieces.
He also renewed criticism of Zapatero’s long-standing ties to the Venezuelan government of Nicolas Maduro, suggesting that someone who had spent years ‘whitewashing a dictatorship’ could also be capable of ‘whitewashing capital’.
What happens next?
While the investigation remains ongoing, legal experts have suggested that if Zapatero can prove the jewellery was received as an official gift during his time as prime minister, potential customs and tax-related offences may either not apply or could already be time-barred due to the passage of nearly 20 years. However, other aspects of the investigation remain open.
Zapatero has so far declined to discuss the jewellery in court, with his legal team reportedly seeking additional time to gather documentation supporting its provenance.
The jewellery controversy forms part of a broader investigation in which the former prime minister denies any wrongdoing, including allegations linked to the government’s €53 million rescue of airline Plus Ultra during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Feijoo said he remains willing to support a parliamentary vote of no confidence if sufficient backing emerges in Congress, amid growing pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his government.
