A Spanish court goes after the ex-premier's bitcoins: a new twist in the corruption scandal
A Spanish court has entered a new phase of a high-profile investigation into former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The investigation is now targeting not only bank accounts and offshore structures, but also the politician's cryptocurrency assets. The case revolves around the airline Plus Ultra, which received $61.5 million in state support in 2021.
On June 17, Zapatero testified before the National Court of Madrid, completely denying charges of corruption, money laundering, tax fraud, and influence peddling. The politician insists that his income comes from legal payments for consulting and design services provided by his daughters' agency. He also stated that he first met the current president of Plus Ultra only in 2024, three years after the subsidies were allocated.
Hunt for Crypto Wallets
A key point that has drawn the attention of the crypto community is Judge José Luis Calama's ruling on May 18. He ordered the seizure and freezing of any Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC) wallets that may belong to Zapatero. Spain's Economic Police have received the corresponding warrant. This measure adds to steps already taken: the freezing of bank accounts and an audit of offshore structures, particularly a company in Dubai that, according to the investigation, Zapatero created just eight days after the state aid was approved.
If cryptocurrency is found, it will be placed in special custody at the secure Prosegur crypto vault in Madrid. This is not the first time the Spanish judicial system has used blockchain tools. Previously, the same Judge Calama handled the Madeira Invest case, where more than 3,000 people were affected by fraudsters.
Ex-Premier's Position
Zapatero himself insists on his innocence and has given a "voluntary general authorization" for a review of his assets, stating that he has "absolutely nothing outside of Spain." However, the warrant for the seizure of cryptocurrency, issued by a judge experienced in such matters, indicates that the investigation is serious and ready to use all available modern methods.
Commentary from Cryptalist analyst: This case is a clear example of how cryptocurrency is ceasing to be a "gray area" for law enforcement. Spain, acting in line with new EU rules on anti-money laundering (MiCA and the Transfer of Funds Regulation), demonstrates that even former heads of state are not immune to checks on digital assets. For the market, this is a signal: Bitcoin's anonymity is a myth, and regulators have learned to effectively "follow the coins."