Madrid’s Investigating Court No. 15 scheduled a hearing for Plus Ultra on June 15 at 10:00, with the airline’s status described as a legal entity under investigation within the ongoing proceedings and regarding allegations of irregular public aid totaling 53 million euros.
Legal sources informed the news agency that the magistrate decided to question the airline’s legal representative for the first time to clarify facts that could underpin charges of embezzlement and fraud. This followed a public call by Vox, as reported by Vozpópuli, which joined other parties in raising accusations alongside the Popular Party and Clean Hands in the same case.
After the court received the conclusions from the experts who prepared the court-commissioned report and from the specialists engaged by the State Industrial Participation Association (SEPI) on March 29, the judge decided to hear from the company itself.
According to available notes in the expert dispute surrounding SEPI, some of the subsidy granted to Plus Ultra was reportedly used to make a payment to Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The same sources indicated that the court’s experts pressed for the company to continue addressing its debt to the Venezuelan state company as soon as aid was received, with Deloitte and DC Advisor describing the payment as one made to a supplier.
Results from the experts
Plus Ultra told Europa Press that the payment linked to the oil company’s operations occurred during the dispute. The expert team advising SEPI reportedly indicated that the debt to PDVSA had not been paid due to an embargo and international sanctions, emphasizing that PDVSA supplies fuel not only to Plus Ultra but to other Caracas-based carriers as well. This backdrop, Plus Ultra noted, affects all airlines operating flights to Venezuela.
Independent court experts stated that delaying debt and placing suppliers on hold is a common move for companies seeking public assistance, especially in tight financial situations.
During the proceedings, questions arose about whether the 53 million euro subsidy could be granted, while Plus Ultra defended SEPI’s decision. Both sides reaffirmed positions presented in the initial January 18 proceedings, which had to be repeated yesterday due to a technical issue.
Over roughly two and a half hours, the experts addressed the public accusations brought by Judge Esperanza Collazos, the State Prosecutor’s Office, the Madrid Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, and associations such as Manos Limpias, as well as the political groups PP and Vox.
Pending file review
Plus Ultra now faces another court appearance on June 15, where the company will have the option to respond to all charges or simply present its defense, including the right to refuse testifying. After the interrogation, prosecutors have not yet responded to requests to file the case, noting no evidence of crimes being committed at this stage.
State attorney Rosa María Seoane stated that the expert report could still be interpreted as indicating no grounds to doubt that Plus Ultra’s company status remained stable at the end of 2019, casting doubt on any potential elements constituting a crime.
The Madrid Prosecutor’s Office concluded that there was no persuasive factor to justify altering the criteria previously set by the Public Ministry. (Source: Europa Press reporting on the court proceedings and expert testimony.)