Story perspectives

Police Seize Ex-Minister Zapatero’s Jewellery, Probe Venezuelan Funds

5/27/2026

Summary

Zapatero Assets Seized

Police seized jewellery, watches and hard drives from former minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s office on 19 May.
UDEF will appraise the jewellery at €30,000-€50,000, which Zapatero says are inheritances and gifts kept in the office safe after moving to a rental.
Police examined the hard drives and found €286,070 cash at Julio Martínez Martínez’s home, where he is accused of receiving €598,910.07 from a Venezuelan airline via three empty companies.

Summary

Arroyo Denies Rumor

Luis Arroyo said the jewels are valued at 30,000-50,000 euros.
Gertrudis Alcázar claimed the safe’s contents stem from Sonsoles Espinosa’s inheritance and travel gifts.
Luis Arroyo rejected the rumor that the items are Saudi gifts worth half a million euros.
Luis Arroyo said Zapatero, surprised by police photos of the jewels, has not publicly expressed disappointment about Julio Martínez’s hidden cash.

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Zapatero Assets Seized

Police seized jewellery, watches and hard drives from former minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s office on 19 May.
UDEF will appraise the jewellery at €30,000-€50,000, which Zapatero says are inheritances and gifts kept in the office safe after moving to a rental.
Police examined the hard drives and found €286,070 cash at Julio Martínez Martínez’s home, where he is accused of receiving €598,910.07 from a Venezuelan airline via three empty companies.

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