UPDATE 1-Former Spanish PM Zapatero investigated in influence peddling case

​Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis ​Rodriguez Zapatero is ‌being investigated ​for alleged influence peddling and related crimes, the country's High Court said on Tuesday.

Zapatero's office in ‌Madrid was being searched alongside three other premises, the court said in a statement, adding the former premier had been summoned to testify on June ‌2. Zapatero is a key ally of current Socialist Prime Minister Pedro ‌Sanchez and the case piles more pressure on Sanchez, who is already dogged by a corruption investigation into alleged kickbacks involving key members of his inner circle, as ⁠well ​as probes involving his ⁠wife and his brother.

The investigation is part of the so-called Plus Ultra case, linked ⁠to a state rescue worth 53 million euros ($62 million) in 2021 of the ​domestic airline Plus Ultra through state holding company SEPI during the ⁠COVID-19 pandemic. The bailout became politically controversial because critics said Plus Ultra was not clearly ⁠strategic, ​had weak finances and links to Venezuelan shareholders. The High Court is examining whether the aid was properly approved.

The conservative opposition People's ⁠Party has repeatedly criticised Zapatero's business ties in Venezuela in the years after leaving ⁠government. Zapatero ⁠has denied any wrongdoing before a lower house committee. Zapatero led Spain between 2004 and 2011, winning two absolute parliamentary ‌majorities.

($1 = ‌0.8597 euros)

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