Begoña Gómez, 55, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been ordered to stand trial on corruption-related charges. A court also required her to surrender her passport and barred her from leaving Spain while the proceedings continue.
Gómez faces suspicion of embezzlement, influence peddling, commercial corruption, and unlawful appropriation of funds. She must report to court twice a month until a jury trial begins, although no trial date has been set.
The investigation began about two years ago after a complaint by the group Manos Limpias, which describes itself as a trade union. The case is seen as a political blow to Sánchez, who has argued that it is a baseless affair intended to damage him politically.
Sánchez has accused his political and media opponents of running a campaign against his family. The court, however, has said the allegations are serious and rejected the prime minister's complaints.