A forensic report commissioned by the Spanish Justice valued at over 1.3 million euros the jewels found in a safe belonging to former socialist president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The leader is under investigation for alleged tax and smuggling offenses
The former Spanish socialist president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has become embroiled in a new controversy after the Justice system found a collection of jewelry and watches valued at 1,323,915 euros in a safe in his office, according to a preliminary expert report prepared by specialists from the auction house Ansorena and the Spanish Gemological Institute.
The investigation stems from a case that was already analyzing the alleged influence peddling exercised to favor the state rescue of the airline Plus Ultra in 2021. Now, the judge of the National Court José Luis Calama has opened a separate case to investigate the origin of the found assets.
According to investigators, the seized items lack sufficient documentation to prove their acquisition and compliance with the corresponding tax and customs obligations.
A necklace worth 278,000 euros among the most valuable pieces
Among the objects found stands out a 18-carat white gold necklace with two natural emeralds from Zambia and diamonds, appraised at 278,000 euros.
Other highly valuable pieces were also found:
White gold necklace with 13 sapphires and diamonds: 220,000 euros.
Choker with five natural rubies and diamonds: 155,000 euros.
Set of earrings and ring with emeralds: 165,000 euros.
Bracelet with three emeralds from Zambia: 95,000 euros.
Bracelet with seven sapphires from Thailand: 80,000 euros.
The value of Zapatero's jewels
In addition to the luxury jewelry, the experts found watches, chains, crosses, pendants, and other pieces of lesser economic value.
The Justice system investigates possible tax and smuggling offenses
The judicial resolution indicates that there is a possible lack of traceability regarding the origin of the assets and the payment of taxes associated with their acquisition and importation.
For this reason, Zapatero is under investigation for alleged tax and smuggling offenses, as part of the jewelry may have entered the territory of the European Union without documentation proving the payment of the corresponding tariffs or taxes.
The former president's secretary stated that the items came from family inheritances and gifts received during trips, although this explanation will still need to be verified by investigators.
A new blow for Spanish socialism
The discovery represents a new scandal for the Spanish socialist environment and once again places Zapatero at the center of the judicial scene.
As the investigation into the rescue of Plus Ultra progresses, the emergence of a wealth composed of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and luxury watches opens a new legal front for the former president, who will now have to demonstrate the origin and tax situation of each of the pieces found by the Justice system.
