The judge who will replace Juan Carlos Peinado on Friday, who has been investigating Begoña Gómez for three months, has rejected the request of the President of the Government to testify in writing on Tuesday. The magistrate confirms that his testimony will be in person on Tuesday of next week and that he will personally travel to Moncloa to take his statement about his wife’s business affairs. The decision is from Peinado’s court 41 and appears signed by Carlos Valle, magistrate of court 14 of the capital.
The investigating judge decided to summon Sánchez as a witness after Begoña Gómez invoked her right not to testify last Friday, July 19. Erroneously citing some articles of the Criminal Procedure Law, Peinado explained that due to her status as a high-ranking official, the testimony could take place at her workplace, but that she would not be allowed to testify in writing, considering that the events had nothing to do with her position.
Now the court has rejected Sánchez’s request to be able to answer his questions in a written form. It confirms that, in its opinion, his questions will not be related to his position as president of the central executive, but urges him to make any necessary disclosures and, only then, will it change the format of the appearance if they are related to his work.
“If the witness believes that he can effectively collaborate with the Administration of Justice, as he states in his writing, by informing the Investigating Officer of relevant facts of which he has become aware by reason of his position, he should highlight this in said statement so that a new one can be made concerning these facts,” invites Judge del Valle in his capacity as “acting judge.”
The judge decided to call Sánchez to testify as a witness without clearly explaining the reasons but suggesting the possible existence of a “chain of influence peddling” by his wife, implying that Gómez could have used her husband’s position and the Moncloa palace to favour her business.
In the last few hours, Begoña Gómez’s defence has asked the Provincial Court not to take several months to resolve their appeals and to put order as soon as possible in the case led by Judge Peinado. Another of the defendants in the case, Juan Carlos Barrabés, has also appealed against his status being changed from witness to suspect after appearing by video conference.
Source: www.eldiario.es
