Spanish PM sues judge in wife's corruption case for abuse of power

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez filed a lawsuit against the judge in charge of the corruption case against his wife, Begoña Gómez, for abuse of power.

The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday by the Attorney General's Office in defense of the "dignity of the institution" of the Spanish PM's office.

Spanish government spokesperson Pilar Alegría said Pedro Sánchez's questioning was part of a "political case without any basis."

"There is no case. [...] It is absolutely clear that this is a set-up with a very clear strategy to give legal and judicial cover to what is a political case," she claimed.

According to the complaint, seen by the Catalan News Agency (ACN), there are "many elements" that make it "obvious" that the questioning of Sánchez violated the law on the judicial summoning of prime ministers.

In Sánchez's case, the summons "lacked any justification" as to why his testimony couldn't be given in writing, as he had requested.

The move came shortly after the judge, Juan Carlos Peinado, visited government headquarters to take Sánchez's testimony.

However, the Spanish PM refused to testify, citing Article 416 of the Penal Code, which allows him to remain silent due to his relationship with Gómez.

This information was confirmed by sources from the far-right party Vox, which is acting as a private prosecutor in the case.

A few weeks ago, Gómez appeared in court in Madrid and did not testify. She is under investigation for corruption and influence peddling.

When the first information on the case appeared, Sánchez temporarily halted public duties for five days to rethink his future in the top spot.

After those days, he said, during a televised speech, that he would continue as PM as it was the only way to fight injustice "with more strength."