Zapatero asks Saudi Arabia to confirm that the seized jewelry was a gift from 2007

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, former president of the Government, has provided the National Court with a copy of the letter he sent on June 16 to the Royal Court of Saudi Arabia to “obtain” “corroboration” that the jewels seized in his possession were a gift received in 2007 from the late Saudi monarch Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz al Saud, who died in 2015. In this document, dated one day before his statement before the investigating judge José Luis Calama and to which EL PAÍS had access, the former socialist leader “begs” the “Court” to “confirm the veracity” of these facts.

The text reads like this:

“His Excellency the Chief of Protocol of the Royal Court of Saudi Arabia.

Madrid, June 16, 2026.

I am writing to you through the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Madrid.

As you may remember, the Court, on the occasion of the official trip of His Saudi Royal Highness the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, on June 18 and 19, 2007, and within the framework of relations between our two countries, presented its expressions of consideration to which we were the object. On that date, at the Moncloa Palace we received a strictly personal gift consisting of a collection of three sets of jewelry of similar structure, based on the same traditional design differentiated by their ruby, emerald and sapphire gems.

With the sole intention of honoring the truth of what happened, I ask that Court to confirm the veracity of the facts referred to in the manner it deems most appropriate.

I wish to express that the form of response that the Court pleases to offer will be received with the same respect and gratitude.

I retain all my esteem and consideration for the Saudi Royal House, with which during my time as President of the Government we forged an intense relationship of cooperation and mutual respect, which had its most significant moment at the great World Conference on Interreligious Dialogue, held in Madrid from July 16 to 18, 2008 under the auspices of His Majesty the King of Spain and His Majesty the King of Saudi Arabia.

I remain at the entire disposal of the Court to provide any information or clarification that may be useful.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the testimony of my highest consideration and my sincere gratitude.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (President of the Government of Spain 2004-2011)”