The Spanish government's legal team, representing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has filed a request to expand a judicial complaint against Judge Juan Carlos Peinado.

This move comes after Peinado, who is investigating Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, for alleged influence peddling and corruption, refused to allow Sánchez to testify in writing, as permitted by law for government officials.

The complaint accuses Peinado of judicial misconduct, claiming he is forcing interpretations of legal principles and seeking media attention rather than pursuing a fair investigation.

The controversy centers on Peinado's decision to draw conclusions from Sánchez's silence during a brief recorded testimony at La Moncloa, which the government argues should not have been recorded or shared with the parties involved.

The case has sparked a legal battle over procedural rights and the potential misuse of judicial power, with the Madrid Provincial Court set to decide on the continuation of Peinado's investigation by the end of September.