The judge rejects Zapatero's challenge to the second jewelry store's appraisal of the jewels and denies any "risk" of bias.

Judge José Luis Calama of the Spanish National Court has rejected a recusal motion filed by former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero regarding the appointment of a second jewelry firm tasked with appraising items involved in the 'Plus Ultra' case. The court determined there is no evidence of bias or a risk of partiality concerning the experts selected for the valuation process.

Zapatero had challenged the appointment citing an alleged lack of impartiality in the appraisal process. By dismissing the motion, Judge Calama has effectively upheld the integrity of the current expert testimony and the procedural steps being taken to assess the assets under investigation.