Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has lodged the most energetic complaint with the CGPJ president after Judge Juan Carlos Peinado's ruling sending Begoña Gómez to trial and withdrawing her passport, citing possible assistance from her police escorts in a potential escape.
Judge Peinado ruled on Saturday to send Begoña Gómez to trial on charges of influence peddling, private-sector corruption, misappropriation and embezzlement. The ruling also imposes precautionary measures including passport withdrawal, a ban on leaving Spain and biweekly court appearances at Plaza de Castilla.
Peinado justified the measures by the risk of flight and stated that escort officers could assist, either on their own initiative or following orders from superiors. The remark drew immediate condemnation from police unions, which called it a barbarity and demanded a correction.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska sent a letter to CGPJ president Isabel Perelló describing the judge's words as a grave questioning of the professionalism of the security forces. Moncloa and the PSOE denounced political persecution and announced that Gómez will appeal the precautionary measures.
