Ex-Spain PM Zapatero Faces Court in Corruption Hearing

Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero testified at the Audiencia Nacional denying allegations that he led an influence-peddling and money-laundering scheme tied to a €53 million state bailout for airline Plus Ultra; the judge cites intercepted communications, payments to associates and an offshore company formed shortly after the bailout, while Zapatero maintains the payments were legitimate consulting fees and has authorized the court to verify his assets.