Overview

• The three investigated—Begoña Gómez, Francisco Martín Aguirre and Cristina Álvarez—did not attend in person and were represented by their lawyers.
• Their absence was based on a 1995 Fiscalía circular indicating a defendant’s presence at this procedural appearance is not indispensable.
• Judge Juan Carlos Peinado held the session to decide whether to send the case to a jury trial for malversación, with his decision pending.
• The court first heard the public prosecutor, who has opposed continuing the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of public funds.
• Accusations said they will seek testimony from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and focus on Álvarez’s hiring and messages seeking funding linked to a UCM academic chair.