Begonya Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, appeared in court but refused to answer questions about allegations of corruption and influence peddling in a case that has prompted her husband to consider whether to resign in April, reports "Reuters", quoted by News.bg.
The hearing in Madrid today is part of a preliminary investigation into whether Gomez used her position as the prime minister's wife to secure sponsors for a university master's course she ran.
"Our position is that this case is completely baseless," her lawyer and former Interior Minister Antonio Camacho said after Gomez left court.
"My client did not testify not because she had something to hide, but because her lawyer advised her not to.
Gomez was allowed to enter and exit the courthouse through the underground parking lot, thus avoiding the dozens of reporters outside.
She has not commented publicly on the case, but Sanchez has strongly rejected the allegations against her, saying they are baseless and orchestrated by right-wing political enemies.
In late April, Sanchez took a five-day break from his duties to consider whether to resign after the court opened an investigation. In the end, he decided to stay in office.
The case was filed through a unique Spanish legal instrument - the so-called "people's indictment" - which allows private individuals to file criminal complaints against third parties. Judges can decide whether or not to act on complaints, and not every allegation leads to a judicial investigation.
The complaint against Gomez was filed by the anti-corruption activist organization "Manos Limpias" (Clean Hands), led by Miguel Bernad, a lawyer and politician who ran for the far-right party in the European elections.
Another far-right party, Vox, also joined the plaintiff and her lawyer, MEP Jorge Buxade, said he would ask the investigator to subpoena Sanchez to testify.
The investigation seeks to assess Gomez's behavior since Sánchez became prime minister in 2018, the court said.
Contracts related to European Union funds will be checked separately by the European Prosecutor.