The wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been banned from leaving Spain as she prepares to face trial on corruption charges. Investigating Judge Juan Carlos Peinado issued the order on Saturday, requiring Sanchez's wife, Begona Gomez, to surrender her passport and report to court twice monthly.

Gomez is facing charges that include embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings, and misappropriation of funds. The investigation stems from a complaint filed by an anti-corruption group with far-right ties and centers on the creation and management of a university chair co-directed by Gomez, as well as allegations of using public resources and personal connections for private gain.

Gomez has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Prime Minister Sanchez has characterized the allegations against his wife as a politically motivated attempt by the right-wing to undermine his government. The Socialist Party, Sanchez's party, has stated that Gomez is innocent and is the subject of a prolonged campaign of political persecution.

No trial date has been set for this politically sensitive case. The investigation into Gomez's activities adds to the mounting pressure on Prime Minister Sanchez, as several other corruption investigations involving his allies are either nearing trial or are already in the judicial process.

These ongoing investigations into Sanchez's associates include allegations of kickbacks related to public works and contracts for oil and gas, as well as the procurement of masks during the pandemic. Several key figures, including the Socialist Party's third-highest-ranking official and Sanchez's former transport minister, are under scrutiny in these matters, and they too deny any wrongdoing.

In a separate development, Spain's High Court is investigating former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. The allegations suggest he led a network that profited from lobbying public authorities on behalf of third parties, including the airline Plus Ultra. Zapatero has denied these claims.

Prime Minister Sanchez, who has not been implicated in any of these cases, has resisted calls from the opposition to resign and trigger early elections. The ongoing legal challenges surrounding his allies and now his wife highlight a period of significant political and judicial pressure on his administration.

The court's decision to prevent Gomez from traveling internationally is a significant step in the legal proceedings, underscoring the seriousness of the charges she faces as the case moves toward a potential trial.