00:01Spain's former socialist prime minister José Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero is being formally
00:08investigated for alleged money laundering and related crimes. Zapatero, who served as prime
00:14minister from 2004 to 2011, is to testify on the 2nd of June, Spain's top criminal court said in
00:22a statement. The investigation relates to the 2021 state rescue of airline Plus Ultra, which received
00:3053 million euros through the state hoarding company CEPI during the COVID-19 pandemic.
00:36Zapatero is accused of leading the effort to bail out the airline and pressuring the transport
00:42ministry led at the time by José Luis Abalos to approve the rescue. The court is examining whether
00:49the aid was properly approved and whether any improper lobbying or influence was involved.
00:55He denied any wrongdoing related to the bailout in a Senate hearing in March. The news comes amid a
01:02political storm for the Spanish government, which is already facing several corruption scandals.
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