MADRID (AP) — On Tuesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declined to testify at the official residence as part of an ongoing probe into accusations of corruption involving his wife, according to legal representatives.

Sánchez, a longstanding figure among socialist leaders in Europe, is not legally compelled to provide testimony against his wife, as dictated by Spanish law.

The brief session, lasting only a few minutes, saw Sánchez invoke his right to remain silent, according to several attorneys who briefed the media after the questioning.

A civil organization known as Manos Limpias (“Clean Hands”) had accused Begoña Gómez, Sánchez’s wife, of exploiting her connections to impact business dealings. The group is notorious for spearheading conservative lawsuits, many of which have either targeted left-wing figures or found little success in court.

Presiding over the session was Judge Carlos Peinado, the first judge to enter La Moncloa, the prime minister’s official residence in Madrid, to collect a statement from a seated premier. A public prosecutor was also in attendance during the proceedings.

Sánchez has repeatedly stated that the accusations are part of a “smear campaign” orchestrated to sabotage the ruling leftist coalition, led by his own Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party.

Although Spain’s Public Prosecutors’ office suggested the case be dismissed, a provincial court permitted Judge Peinado to proceed with the investigation. Peinado is now tasked with either dropping the charges or advancing the case for trial.

Following the investigation’s commencement, Sánchez shocked the public last April with a social media letter expressing that he was considering resigning, citing an “unprecedented attack” against his wife. However, after days of reflection, he ultimately chose to remain in office.

Earlier this year, Spain’s government ethics panel rejected a separate complaint from the conservative Popular Party, which accused Sánchez of allowing Gómez to sway a decision in favor of an airline.

Gómez, 49, who steers clear of the political limelight, does not hold public office. With a background in marketing, she has mainly worked on fundraising initiatives and nonprofit causes.