Overview

• The appeal, lodged with the Madrid Provincial Court, contests Judge Juan Carlos Peinado’s move to prepare the case for a potential jury trial.
• Peinado transformed the malversation piece last week, a step that would send the case to a jury if prosecutors ultimately bring charges.
• The defense argues the ruling relies on generalities, cites no concrete evidence of malversation, and points to the absence of a defined statute for the prime minister’s spouse.
• An earlier Guardia Civil UCO report asserts that Gómez’s Moncloa aide, Cristina Álvarez, contacted roughly 15 potential sponsors tied to the UCM chair co-directed by Gómez.
• Popular accusers have asked for expanded inquiries, including patrimonial checks, full email recovery, and fresh testimony from Pedro Sánchez, as the judge considers inviting the State Attorney’s Office to join as a civil claimant.