National Court judge José Luis Calama has opened a separate inquiry in the Plus Ultra case to investigate former president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for possible tax crimes and smuggling linked to jewels seized from his office.
The jewels, seized on May 19, were appraised by jeweler Ansorena at 1,323,915 euros. The most valuable piece is an 18-karat white gold collar studded with diamonds and two Zambian emeralds, valued at 278,000 euros.
Calama states the origin of the jewels “is not justified at this time”. Zapatero attributed them to an inheritance from his wife and gifts received on trips. The judge has summoned the former president to testify on June 17 and 18.
The ruling notes that possession triggers tax obligations under IRPF, VAT, Inheritance and Gift Tax or Wealth Tax. It also points to possible smuggling if the items entered without customs control.
Zapatero’s spokesman Luis Arroyo apologized for initially stating the jewels were worth between 30,000 and 50,000 euros.
