Spanish princess in court over corruption scandal

Spanish princess in court over corruption scandal

PanARMENIAN.Net - Spain's Princess Cristina has arrived in court to be questioned in connection with a corruption scandal involving her husband's business dealings, BBC News reports.

It is the first time in history that a member of Spain's royal family has appeared in court as the subject of a criminal investigation.

Her husband Inaki Urdangarin is alleged to have defrauded regional governments of millions of euros of public money. The princess and her husband deny any wrongdoing, and have not been charged.

The BBC says the world's media will analyze every detail of this corruption case, which has already gone on for three years and made headlines in Spain on an almost daily basis.

Spain's royal household admits the case has damaged the reputation and credibility of Spain's royals, and, partly because of this scandal, the popularity of King Juan Carlos has fallen in recent years.

Pro-republican campaigners vowed to demonstrate near the court.

Princess Cristina, 48, stepped from her car and walked into the court on the island of Majorca without commenting to the waiting television crews. King Juan Carlos's youngest daughter will have to answer dozens of questions from a judge in a closed-door hearing.

The judge has named her as a fraud and money-laundering suspect. The allegations relate to a supposedly not-for-profit organization called Noos, of which Inaki Urdangarin was president.

The foundation staged a series of sporting events for the regional governments of the Balearic Islands and Valencia.

Urdangarin is accused of organizing the events at hugely inflated prices.

With a former business partner, he is alleged to have received a total of 5.6mln euros ($7.5mln) in public money.

Princess Cristina is suspected of spending some of that money on personal expenses. There are also questions about what Princess Cristina knew about the alleged wrongdoing of her husband.

Her lawyer has said she is innocent.

Related links:
 Top stories
Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive.
In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million).
The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".
The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.
Partner news
---