Vicky Rosell asks for "prudence" in the indictment of Zapatero during her analysis on 'La Hora de la 1'

Magistrate Vicky Rosell has analyzed in a public intervention the investigation opened around the Plus Ultra case and the summons of former Government president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, within the framework of a case investigating possible money laundering crimes and other irregularities.

Rosell has recalled that the crime of money laundering is one of the most serious within the legal system, which usually implies far-reaching judicial actions such as searches or summonses, but has insisted that it cannot be based on mere suspicions. In her explanation, the magistrate has underlined that the Supreme Court has reiterated on numerous occasions that this type of crime must be proven with concrete facts and not with initial hypotheses, warning of the risk that investigations “become overdimensioned” in early stages.

According to her analysis, in some procedures there is an initial increase in investigative pressure that can subsequently be reduced if sufficient evidence is not found or if the lawful origin of the assets is proven, which can lead to the dismissal or weakening of the case. Rosell has insisted on the importance of acting with special caution when figures of great public relevance are involved, since the mere summons as an investigated person can significantly affect the presumption of innocence and generate a reputational impact difficult to reverse, even if there is no subsequent conviction.

The magistrate has concluded by defending the need for rigor in this type of investigation to guarantee the balance between the prosecution of economic crimes and respect for procedural guarantees.