Graft hearing for Spain PM's wife delayed until July 19

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez had been due to testify before a judge on Friday as part of a preliminary corruption probe into her business ties, but the hearing was suspended and rescheduled for July 19.

Gomez arrived at the heavily-guarded Madrid court at around 10:15 am (0815 GMT), entering the courtroom in a black trouser suit accompanied by four people.

There she was to testify in a closed session before judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who is running the preliminary investigation into allegations of corruption in the private sector and influence peddling.

But her lawyer told the judge they had "not been notified about all the complaints (against her), notably one filed by Hazte Oir" (Make Yourself Heard) -- an ultra-Catholic pressure group linked to the far-right, a judicial source said.

Accordingly the judge suspended the hearing to give them time to prepare, he said.

The preliminary investigation began on April 16 following a complaint filed by Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), an anti-graft NGO also linked to the far right. The Hazte Oir complaint likewise alleges influence peddling.

Legal documents show the probe is focused on the public contracts awarded to a joint venture headed by businessman and consultant Carlos Barrabes who had professional ties with Gomez.

The case has infuriated Sanchez, who has repeatedly insisted there is "absolutely nothing" in the allegations beyond a political smear campaign aimed at overthrowing his government.

Leaving the court after the brief hearing, Gomez's lawyer Antonio Camacho said his client was "absolutely fine, like all innocent people are, although this is not pleasant for anyone".

- Right-wing clamour -

But the right-wing opposition has pounced on the affair as proof of their claims that Sanchez and his left-wing government are corrupt.

Outside the court, a group of protesters held up banners reading: "Begona, mafiosa" and "Pedro Sanchez to prison".

Along with the Catalan amnesty law, the investigation has complicated life for Sanchez, whose brother is also facing a graft probe triggered by another Manos Limpias complaint, prompting a barrage of right-wing criticism.

"It is an insult to the intelligence of all Spaniards when her husband simply says there's nothing to it," railed Miguel Tellado, spokesman for the right-wing opposition Popular Party (PP), earlier this week.

When news of the probe broke at the end of April, Sanchez shocked Spain by saying he was considering resigning over what he described as a campaign of political harassment by the right.

After five days of reflection, he ultimately decided to stay on.

Madrid prosecutors appealed to have the case thrown out for lack of evidence, but they were overruled, with the investigating judge issuing the July summons just days before Spain voted in the EU elections.

- 'Sanchez must explain' -

In late May, the court said it was looking into two letters of support Gomez allegedly provided in 2020 for a joint venture whose main shareholder was Barrabes and which was bidding for several public contracts.

It won the contracts, beating 20 rivals, and was awarded 10.2 million euros ($11.1 million).

Barrabes also has ties to a department at Madrid's Complutense University run by Gomez.

Part of the probe involving European funds has been turned over to Brussels.

"We can confirm that we have partially taken over the investigation... on June 6," the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) said in a statement to AFP, without giving further details.

With a degree in marketing from Madrid's ESIC university and a master's in management, Gomez has specialised over the years in fundraising, particularly for foundations and NGOs.

Her career has taken her to a number of positions, including at business consultancy Inmark Europa and Complutense University.

PP spokesman Borja Semper said the public wanted answers.

"What all Spaniards are waiting for is for Pedro Sanchez to explain and tell us why -- knowing that all this was going on -- he did nothing," he told Telecinco TV.

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