Begoña Gómez's preliminary hearing before Peinado's vacation: the defense requests the dismissal and the investigation is closed

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has held a preliminary hearing in Madrid regarding Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and her adviser Cristina Álvarez. The proceeding marks a final procedural step before a potential oral trial, as the judicial instruction closes and the case moves closer to the bench.

During the hearing, Gómez opposed the opening of a trial by jury and requested her acquittal. Meanwhile, defense lawyers have formally requested the dismissal and archiving of the case concerning alleged crimes of influence peddling and embezzlement.