The ongoing investigation into Begoña Gómez, wife of the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has taken a dramatic turn as the Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Madrid seeks to halt an additional report from the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard regarding her alleged involvement in the rescue of Air Europa. This inquiry, which has garnered significant media attention, raises serious questions about influence peddling and corruption at the highest levels of government.
According to reports, the UCO was tasked by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado to investigate potential connections between Gómez and Javier Hidalgo, the former CEO of Air Europa, amid claims that Hidalgo's son contacted Gómez to facilitate the airline's rescue. The prosecutor's office, however, argues that this line of inquiry should be closed, citing a previous decision by the Madrid Court which had already dismissed this avenue of investigation.
"The Prosecutor's Office is trying to stop an additional report from the UCO on Begoña Gómez and Air Europa," a source revealed. The UCO's findings have reportedly uncovered more details about the interactions between Hidalgo and Gómez, with messages indicating that Hidalgo's son reached out to her during a critical period for the airline. In one such message, commission agent Víctor de Aldama informed Koldo García that Javier Hidalgo was "very distressed by this situation and is looking for alternatives," emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has indicated that it does not plan to call Gómez to testify in the ongoing investigation known as the 'Koldo case'. This decision has prompted further scrutiny and criticism from various quarters, particularly regarding the transparency and integrity of the investigation process.
Adding to the complexity of the case, the UCO has also revealed possible financial compensation received by José Luis Ábalos, the former Minister of Transport, for his role in approving state aid for Air Europa. It has come to light that Ábalos stayed at a vacation rental property during the crucial period from August 12 to August 23, 2020, which may have been financed by the Hidalgo family. The reported cost of this stay was approximately 9,800 euros, raising further questions about potential conflicts of interest.
In a message uncovered by the UCO, Koldo García mentioned to Ábalos that the rental property would be provided "without cost for the inconveniences caused," referring to the airline's rescue efforts. This revelation has sparked outrage and concern about the ethical implications of such arrangements.
In response to these allegations, Air Europa has firmly denied any involvement of Begoña Gómez in facilitating the airline's rescue or in the arrangement of the rental for Ábalos. In a statement released on April 11, 2025, the airline categorically rejected claims that it financed the rental of a house in Málaga for Ábalos or solicited Gómez's intervention in securing state aid. "Air Europa wants to categorically deny that the company funded, directly or through third parties, the rental of any property for the use of Mr. José Luis Ábalos," the statement read.
Furthermore, the airline asserted that it had followed all legal protocols in its dealings with the government regarding the aid package and expressed its intention to pursue legal action against anyone disseminating false information regarding the case. "We are willing to use all legal resources, including actions of any nature that may correspond to us, against those who disseminate or publish falsehoods or malicious interpretations of any documentation related to the company," Air Europa stated.
The situation escalated further when the Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Madrid filed an appeal against Judge Peinado's decision to extend the investigation into Gómez for an additional six months. The investigation encompasses serious allegations of influence peddling, business corruption, misappropriation of trademark, and professional intrusion.
Gómez's legal team, led by lawyer Cristina Álvarez, has described the investigation as "eccentric" and has called for an end to what they regard as an unjustified extension of the inquiry. In a recent statement, Álvarez's lawyer expressed disbelief at the judge's insistence on continuing the investigation, despite previous rulings by the Provincial Court that have excluded certain facts related to Globalia from the inquiry.
"We are astonished: restrictive measures are agreed upon without justification against a witness; the accused are summoned first as witnesses, preventing their legal assistance; and the facts they are accused of are concealed from the accused," the lawyer stated, highlighting concerns about the fairness of the judicial process.
The judge's insistence on investigating the Air Europa rescue has drawn criticism, particularly in light of the Provincial Court's prior decisions to close that line of inquiry. In a resolution issued in March, Judge Peinado had warned that failing to investigate the rescue could result in accusations of prevarication or omission of duty.
As the legal battles unfold, the implications of this investigation extend beyond the individuals involved. The case has sparked wider discussions about transparency, accountability, and the potential for corruption within the Spanish government. With public trust at stake, many are watching closely to see how this situation develops.
In summary, the investigation into Begoña Gómez and the alleged connections to Air Europa continues to raise significant concerns about influence and corruption at high levels of government. As legal proceedings progress, the public will be keenly aware of the outcomes and their potential ramifications for the future of governance in Spain.
