This is the first time that a former Spanish prime minister has been placed under formal investigation since the country returned to democracy following the death of longtime dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. #EuropeNews

A Spanish court is investigating former Spanish Primer Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for alleged influence peddling and other possible crimes.

Zapatero's office in Madrid was being searched alongside three other premises, the court said in a statement.