Zapatero’s legal jeopardy: The fronts facing the country’s first former PM indicted for corruption
A 158-page police report describes a "finance boutique" set up to channel political-influence payments around the €53 million Plus Ultra bailout.
Corruption
Latest reporting and analysis on corruption.
Former Austrian intelligence officer convicted of spying for Russia
According to the indictment, Egisto Ott is alleged to have acted on Marsalek's orders between 2015 and 2022.
Spanish court freezes ex-PM Zapatero’s accounts in Plus Ultra bailout probe
Judge José Luis Calama, who heads Central Examining Court No 4 at the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid, ordered the freeze of up to €490,780.
Sánchez judge handling sensitive Zapatero corruption data with France and Switzerland
Silvia Martínez Cantón, in post since July 22, 2024, was notified of her removal in mid-April on instructions from the Ministry headed by Félix Bolaños.
Harsh Israeli treatment of flotilla activists causes global outrage
Several countries have joined calls for an independent investigation.
Édouard Philippe faces judicial probe over alleged corruption
A French investigating judge has been appointed to probe the former prime minister over alleged misappropriation of public funds.
Zapatero family real estate holdings multiply 115-fold since leaving Moncloa
From a €38,000 plot of land in León to luxury chalets worth nearly €6 million, the family's property surge has coincided with the former premier's decade of…
Spanish left closes ranks around Zapatero as opposition demands Sánchez resign
From the Socialist parliamentary group to the UGT trade union, Sánchez's political family has rallied behind the former prime minister — even as ERC and Podemos…
France has the European Union’s most overcrowded prisons
Foreign nationals account for about a quarter of inmates — around three times their share of the country's population.
Tusk calls Trump administration’s decision on visa for Polish ex-justice minister Ziobro ‘outrageous’
Zbigniew Ziobro has been indicted by prosecutors under the centre-left coalition led by Tusk on 26 charges of abuse of power.
Hungary’s new PM Magyar steps up drive to force Head of State
Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok rejects Magyar's demand to resign by end of May.
Zapatero becomes first former Spanish Prime Minister investigated for corruption
The judge is examining suspected money laundering and influence peddling around the Plus Ultra bailout, in a case that reaches into Zapatero's decade of dealings…
Sierra Leone’s first lady has social housing in inner London
Council homes in the UK are a form of social housing provided at below-market rents to those meeting eligibility criteria.
Zelensky’s former chief of staff Yermak walks free after posting €2.7 million bail
He must wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, surrender his passports, report to investigators when summoned and not leave Kyiv without authorisation.
Bulgarian court clears pro-Russian activist of spying
A Bulgarian court has acquitted the leader of a pro-Russian lobby group of charges of spying for Russia, in a ruling seen by AFP on Friday.
New book alleges ‘fraud, tax evasion and culture of deception’ at ‘green’ EU darling Northvolt
A new book by award-winning Swedish investigative journalist Gunnar Lindstedt alleges there was a culture of deception, financial mismanagement and regulatory failure…
Renew Europe chief targets French conservative media over ‘Russian propaganda’
Renew Europe President and French MEP Valérie Hayer has accused two French conservative media outlets of relaying Kremlin narratives and called on the country’s…
So-called frugal northern countries round on Spain as EU funds row escalates
For PM Pedro Sánchez, who is already grappling with corruption investigations involving figures close to the ruling PSOE, the timing is awkward.
Zelensky’s former chief of staff jailed in Ukraine graft probe
A court in Kyiv has ordered the detention of Andriy Yermak, Volodymyr Zelensky's former chief of staff.
French prosecutors seek seven-year jail term for Sarkozy in Libya funding appeal
Sarkozy, 71, was sentenced in September 2025 to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy in the same case.
Alleged top criminal in Sweden-based Foxtrot gang arrested in Tunisia
The suspect has been identified by Swedish media as Mohamed “Moewgli” Mohdhi.
Albania says it will not renew migration deal with Italy
The agreement allows Rome to process certain asylum claims in facilities on Albanian territory.
Ukraine names Zelensky’s former chief of staff as suspect in graft probe
Six other people were also notified as suspects on Tuesday, with the investigation said to be ongoing.
Ex-Macronist minister sentenced for tax fraud
Caroline Cayeux, who served as French President Emmanuel Macron’s minister delegate for local authorities in 2022
Spanish prosecutors close in on ex-PM Zapatero over alleged laundering and hidden wealth
The probe had reached an advanced stage and pointed to hidden assets and cross-border movements of funds linked to the former PSOE leader.
Can European democracy be bought? Ask the rich men of Qatar
Shame, not guilt, is the currency of scandal. In 2022, on anti-corruption day no less, Belgian police uncovered €1.
Trump’s sanctuary for Polish ex-minister shows US disapproves of PM Tusk’s actions regarding opposition
US President Donald Trump intervened personally in granting an entry visa into his county for Zbigniew Ziobro, the former justice minister in the last Polish Conservative…
French RN leaders slam ‘politically motivated accusations’ against chief Bardella over EP fraud allegation
Less than a year before France’s presidential elections, National Rally (RN) President Jordan Bardella is being investigated over the alleged misuse of European…
Magyar’s brother-in-law withdraws as Hungary’s justice minister pick amid nepotism row
Péter Magyar's pick for justice minister, Márton Melléthei-Barna, has withdrawn his name from consideration for the post.
Sweden plans electronic bracelets to monitor children at risk of gang recruitment
Criminal gangs in Sweden have increasingly recruited children and teenagers to carry out murders and other violent acts.