Zapatero breaks the silence today with the first interview after the indictment

BarcelonaImplicated and, for a few days now, incriminated by his friend, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero will break his silence this Thursday in the first interview he has granted since he is being investigated by the National Court in the Plus Ultra case. The former Spanish president will undergo, live, starting at 13:00, the questions of the TVE program Mañaneros , hosted by Javier Ruiz.

In his initial video message when the case broke out, in a subsequent statement, or through a spokesperson, Zapatero has defended his innocence from the outset. He also defended it on June 17 before Judge José Luis Calama, who is investigating him for allegedly leading a scheme of influence peddling in exchange for commissions. "I emphatically reaffirm it. I had no involvement, I did not speak with anyone from the public sector about the Plus Ultra rescue. [...] There will be no one who can say otherwise," he said at the time.

Just a few days ago, however, the businessman also implicated and friend of Zapatero, Julio Martínez, directly incriminated him before the same judge in the controversial rescue of the airline. A statement that seeks collaboration with justice in exchange for a reduction in his possible punishment, and according to which the arrangements in favor of Plus Ultra were rewarded with 1% of the rescue, about 530,000 euros. Martínez has not yet clarified who the former socialist leader influenced or with whom he spoke so that the airline would receive public aid.

The former president will have the opportunity this midday to speak, as well as to give for the first time explanations about the origin of the jewels, valued at 1.3 million euros, which were located at his office. Jewels for which Judge Calama opened a second case against him for alleged crimes of tax fraud and smuggling.