07.07.2026 16:31
Spanish Minister of Justice Felix Bolanos highlighted the high quality of bilateral judicial and security cooperation with Turkey, emphasizing the institutional trust between the two countries. Despite this positive dialogue at the ministerial level, a recent decision by the Spanish judiciary caused surprise. The judge who imposed a judicial control obstacle on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife, Begona Gomez, regarding her participation in the NATO Summit in Ankara faced criticism of inconsistency from the government side.
Spain's Minister of Justice Felix Bolanos emphasized that judicial and security cooperation between Turkey and Spain is at an excellent level, sending a message of thanks to Ankara. Minister Bolanos harshly criticized the Spanish judge who, contradicting this strong cooperation, did not allow Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife, Begona Gomez, to attend the NATO Summit in Ankara.
PRAISE FOR JUDICIAL COOPERATION WITH TURKEY
Spain's Minister of Justice Felix Bolanos, appearing before cameras after the regular Cabinet meeting, highlighted the flawless relations with Turkey. Expressing satisfaction with the joint efforts conducted with Turkish authorities, Bolanos stated:
"Especially when it comes to Turkey, the Turkish Justice Minister visited Madrid just a few months ago. We came together to strengthen judicial cooperation between Spain and Turkey. I plan to visit my counterpart in Turkey in the coming months. As a result, the judicial and security cooperation with both Turkey and the United Kingdom is at an excellent level."
"PERMISSION FOR LONDON, BUT NOT FOR ANKARA"
Following the messages of thanks and cooperation that topped the agenda, Minister Bolanos evaluated the judicial restrictions imposed on the Prime Minister's wife, Begona Gomez. He described the judge's decision—which denied Gomez, whose passport was confiscated due to corruption allegations, permission to attend the NATO Summit in Ankara while approving her daughter's graduation ceremony in London—as "inconsistent and incomprehensible."
Bolanos criticized Judge Juan Carlos Peinado for rejecting the Ankara permission citing "Turkey's non-membership in the EU," reminding that the United Kingdom is also outside the EU. Stating that Gomez always acts alongside Spanish police and the risk of fleeing justice is zero, the Minister argued that the precautionary measures applied were completely unnecessary.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Begona Gomez, the first prime minister's spouse in Spanish history to have her passport confiscated, surrendered her passport to the court on June 24 due to charges of "influence peddling and corruption." Gomez, who received an official invitation to attend the NATO Summit in Ankara with her husband Pedro Sanchez, had her request rejected by the court. However, the same decision's approval of her London trip caused surprise in the Spanish government.