Spain's PM Opts Not to Testify in Probe Alleging his Wife's Corruption

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Tuesday opted not to testify before a judge at the presidential complex as part of the investigation into corruption allegations against his wife, lawyers said.

Sánchez, one of Europe’s longest serving socialist leaders, is not obliged to testify against his wife under Spanish law.

Judge Carlos Peinado, who refused Sánchez's request to submit a written testimony, was the first to enter La Moncloa, the prime minister's residence in Madrid, and take a statement from a sitting prime minister.

A public prosecutor was also present.

The questioning lasted just minutes as the premier exercised his right not to testify, lawyers from both sides of the case told reporters.

Marta Castro, a lawyer for far-right party Vox, told reporters that Sánchez had refused to share knowledge of some activities he had been witness to and warned that "we will see the consequences that this could have."

A legal activist group called Manos Limpias, or “Clean Hands,” alleged that Sanchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, used her position to influence business deals.

Many of the group's previous cases have been linked to right-wing causes targeting leftist politicians, most of them never succeed.

Sánchez has consistently said the case was a “smear campaign” aimed at damaging Spain’s leftist coalition government led by his Spanish Socialist Worker's Party.