Spain’s judicial watchdog has launched disciplinary proceedings against the judge leading the corruption investigation into Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s wife, in a move that adds a fresh twist to a case that has intensified pressure on the country’s minority government.

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado (main image), who has been investigating Begoña Gómez for the past two years, ruled on Saturday that she should stand trial and ordered her not to leave Spain, arguing that she posed a potential flight risk. ALSO READ: Spanish PM’s wife ordered to stand trial on corruption charges and surrender passport.

In his decision, Peinado dismissed suggestions that police officers assigned to Gómez’s security detail would prevent any attempt to leave the country. Instead, he argued that such officers could facilitate an escape, ‘either on their own initiative or following orders from their superiors’.

The remarks triggered an unusual public response from Spain’s National Police, which issued a statement  describing the judge’s reasoning as ‘unjustified’ and reaffirming the force’s political neutrality.

On Monday, Spain’s judicial governing body, the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), announced that it had opened disciplinary proceedings against Peinado, saying his comments could constitute a serious disciplinary breach.

Under Spanish judicial regulations, such an offence can result in a fine of up to €6,000.

Peinado formally charged Gómez in April with embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds. ALSO READ: Begoña Gómez, wife of Spain’s PM, denies embezzlement in new court hearing.

The investigation, opened in 2024, seeks to determine whether Gómez improperly used her position as the prime minister’s wife for personal benefit. Both Gómez and Sánchez have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The inquiry focuses on the creation and operation of a chair at Madrid’s Complutense University that Gómez co-directed, as well as allegations that public resources and personal contacts were used to further private interests.

The case is one of several corruption-related investigations involving Sánchez’s family members and former associates, controversies that have increasingly threatened the stability of his socialist-led coalition government.

Further pressure mounted on Monday when a court sentenced Sánchez’s former close aide and transport minister, José Luis Ábalos, to 24 years in prison for corruption. ALSO READ: Spain’s ex-transport minister sentenced to 24 years as corruption pressure mounts on government.

Justice Minister Félix Bolaños also criticised the proceedings against Gómez, describing the case as ‘absolutely abnormal’ and warning that it was harming confidence in Spain’s judicial system. ALSO READ: Spain’s public prosecutor’s office urges dismissal of case against PM’s wife.

‘This case should have been dismissed from day one, and it was not,’ Bolaños told Cadena Ser radio, describing some of Peinado’s decisions as ‘incomprehensible’.

Peinado, who is expected to retire in September, has ordered Gómez to appear in court on Wednesday to hand over her passport. The hearing coincides with Sánchez’s appearance before parliament, where he is due to address the various judicial investigations surrounding members of his political circle.

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🔴 Grande-Marlaska ha elevado la “más enérgica queja” a la presidenta del CGPJ por el “grave cuestionamiento de la profesionalidad de los miembros de las Fuerzas y Cuerpos de Seguridad del Estado” que ha realizado el magistrado Juan Carlos Peinado en una resolución conocida hoy.

— Ministerio del Interior (@interiorgob) June 20, 2026

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