The judge investigating Begoña Gómez, wife of the President of the Government, for alleged crimes of influence peddling and corruption in business has changed the status of businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés from witness to suspect and has summoned him to testify on July 29.
This was confirmed to Europa Press by legal sources who recall that this week, after Barrabés appeared as a witness before the 41st Court of Instruction in Madrid, the popular accusations asked Judge Juan Carlos Peinado to summon the businessman to appear again but as a suspect.
In the document submitted on Monday, to which Europa Press has had access, the accusations alleged that Barrabés’ “lack” of “specificity” in his statement and his “continuous evasive responses” justified their request for “the change of his procedural status from witness to suspect.”
The popular accusations –under the legal direction of Vox– argued that this change would allow Barrabés to “fully exercise his right to a defense,” which is why they saw it as “urgent and peremptory” that he be summoned as an investigated person.
They said that from the statements made so far by the businessman “it can be deduced” that the “professional and business” activity of Begoña Gómez that is being investigated in the case had “special connection and significance” with the businessman.