Spanish public prosecutor seeks to shelve case against PM's wife Begoña Gómez

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Prosecutor appeals judge’s decision to send PM Pedro Sánchez’s spouse to trial, citing a total lack of criminal evidence

Melchor Sáiz-Pardo

Wednesday, 22 April 2026, 17:15

The legal battle surrounding Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has reached a critical turning point as the Public Prosecutor’s Office formally moved to have the case dismissed.

The Madrid Provincial Prosecutor filed two appeals on Wednesday against the recent ruling by investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado. On 11 April, the judge had proposed sending Gómez to a jury trial on a litany of charges, including influence peddling, business corruption, embezzlement, and misappropriation of funds.

Far-right accusations seek 24-year sentence

The popular prosecution (private accusers), led by the ultra-conservative group Hazte Oír, submitted their conclusions on Monday. They are seeking a combined sentence of 24 years in prison for Begoña Gómez, broken down as follows:

• 8 years for embezzlement

• 6 years for misappropriation

• 6 years for influence peddling

• 4 years for business corruption

The private accusers have also requested that Gómez’s passport be confiscated and that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez be called to testify as a witness during the oral hearing.

However, the Prosecution now argues that the evidence is non-existent, asserting that the conduct of Gómez and her associates does not constitute any "criminal offence."

This move by the Prosecution aligns the state’s legal position with Gómez’s own defence team, which earlier this week filed a grievance with the Provincial Court of Madrid.

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