Before the National Court of Spain, former Prime Minister José Luis Rodrigeth testified today Thapatero, denying the charges that Influenced in favour of the airline Plus Ultra during the state rescue process.
According to sources present in his testimony, the former Socialist leader assured the judge that he never contacted a state official or other competent authority in order to influence the decision to rescue Plus Ultra.
The former Prime Minister of Spain also denied receiving bribes and distanced himself from the corporate network which, according to the judicial authorities, was allegedly controlled by his friend Julio Martinez and used to channel illegal payments.
During his three-hour apology, Thapatero also argued that the money paid by companies related to the case to the marketing company of his daughters, Whathefav SL, concerned real services rather than supplies or illegal fees.
Following the completion of the procedure, he issued a written communication in which he defends his position and declares sure of the His innocence.
"When you know that you are absolutely innocent, as in my case, and you have full trust in Justice, the most painful thing is knowing that many people may be disappointed if they believe what is said about you," he said.
In the same context, Thapatero stated that he had no contact with Plus Ultra executives, with the exception of the president of Julio Martinez airline Sola, whom he said he met in 2024, that is, three years after the approval of state aid to the company.
Requests for restrictive measures
Following his testimony a separate hearing was held to examine possible restrictive measures.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, as well as two of the political plaintiffs, the People's Party (PP) and Ciudadanos, requested the removal of passport the former Prime Minister and compulsory presence before the judicial authorities every fifteen days.
At the same time, PP lawyer Alberto Duran, who represents the political lawsuits in the case as a whole, also transferred a request for enforcement temporary detention to Zapatero. According to legal sources, this request is also supported by other organisations and bodies involved in the process, including Vox, Hazte Oír and Iustia Europa.