Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was charged this Tuesday by the National Court as the alleged leader of “a stable and hierarchical influence trafficking structure” whose purpose was “to obtain economic benefits through intermediation and the exercise of influence before public bodies” mainly in favor of Plus Ultra. After receiving the notification, the former head of government defended his innocence and his intention to cooperate with justice in a video: “All my public and private activity has always been carried out with absolute respect for legality,” Zapatero stated, indicating that all his income and remunerations have been declared “with absolute transparency and legality.” “I have never carried out any management before any public administration or the public sector in relation to the rescue of Plus Ultra nor before any other administration,” pointed out the former Prime Minister between 2004 and 2011.
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This is the full statement released by former Prime Minister Zapatero:
“This morning I received a notification from the National Court summoning me as an investigated person. I first want to express my willingness, of course, to cooperate with justice. At the same time, I want to reaffirm that all my public and private activity has always been carried out with absolute respect for legality.
My private activity and the income and remunerations I have had have been declared, via IRPF, with absolute transparency and legality. In addition, I want to strongly reaffirm that I have never carried out any management before any public administration or the public sector in relation to the rescue of Plus Ultra nor before any other administration. Therefore, I reaffirm it with all firmness.
Likewise, I want to reiterate that I have never had a commercial company either directly or through third parties, neither in Spain nor outside Spain, nor have I participated in any operation of this type. Therefore, I want to express that I will exercise my right to defense with all firmness and conviction and also that I will attend the media in the coming days. Thank you very much.”
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