Judge Peinado summons Begoña Gómez for final step before possible jury trial

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has summoned Begoña Gómez to appear this Tuesday at 6 pm for a preliminary hearing, the final procedural step before deciding whether to send the Spanish Prime Minister’s wife to trial before a jury. Cristina Álvarez, Gómez’s adviser at La Moncloa, is also under investigation in the same case.

The summons comes after Begoña Gómez’s new lawyer, Jaime Campaner, submitted a document seeking her acquittal. Under Spain’s Jury Act, the prosecution may formally request the opening of a trial during the preliminary hearing.

The defence will also have the opportunity to request further investigative measures. However, Peinado has already stated that he does not consider it necessary to extend the investigation, according to El Mundo.

Madrid Provincial Court limits investigation to two alleged offences

The investigating judge had previously ordered the opening of a trial, but the Madrid Provincial Court modified several significant aspects of the case after examining the appeals filed by the defence teams. This decision has forced Peinado to repeat the procedure.

The court rejected the requests from Begoña Gómez and Cristina Álvarez to dismiss the case but excluded businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés from the proceedings. It also limited the investigation into Pedro Sánchez’s wife to the alleged offences of influence peddling and misappropriation of public funds.

Following the preliminary hearing, Peinado may issue a new order opening the trial in accordance with the Madrid Provincial Court’s instructions. If he does so, the proceedings will be transferred to the Provincial Court, which will be responsible for preparing and conducting the jury trial.

The conclusion of the investigation coincides with Juan Carlos Peinado’s retirement, scheduled for later this September. Begoña Gómez remains presumed innocent unless and until a final judgment is issued.