Spanish princess accused of corruption, summoned to testify in court

A Spanish court summoned King Juan Carlos’ youngest daughter Cristina as a suspect over tax and money-laundering crimes on Tuesday, a first for a direct relative of the monarch.

Cristina, 48, has been linked to the business affairs of her husband, former Olympic handball player Inaki Urdangarin, who is under investigation for alleged embezzlement of public funds.

The decision by a court in Majorca is a major blow against the prestige of the 76-year-old Spanish king, who became head of state after the death in 1975 of General Francisco Franco and helped guide the country’s transition to democracy.

His popularity sliding because of royal scandals, Juan Carlos appeared tired yesterday as he presided over a military parade while supported on crutches, his first public appearance since undergoing an operation to replace his left hip on November 21.

The judge in Majorca, Jose Castro, has been investigating the corruption allegations against Cristina’s husband since 2010. In summoning Cristina, he overruled opposition by the public prosecutor.

In his written ruling, the judge said he had decided to hear Cristina’s testimony “about alleged tax and money laundering crimes”, summoning her to appear on March 8 as part of an investigation that could lead to formal charges.

Manos Limpias, a litigious far-right pressure group, lodged the suit against Cristina alleging tax evasion and money laundering, although tax authorities have not brought any charges and public prosecutors have said there is no case to answer.

The judge in the Majorca court is investigating allegations that Urdangarin and a former business partner embezzled USD 8 million in public funds via the Noos Institute, a charitable foundation that he chaired.

Cristina was a member of the board of Noos and with her husband jointly owned another company, Aizoon, which investigators suspect served as a front for laundering the embezzled funds.

The Majorca judge had summoned Cristina on suspicion of corruption once before, in spring 2012, but that decision was overruled following an appeal by the prosecutor.

Juan Carlos is widely respected for his role in Spain’s transition to democracy after the death of Franco.

But his standing among Spaniards has been damaged by the corruption scandal, and outrage over a luxury African elephant-hunting safari he took in 2012.

His health problems together with the scandals have raised speculation about the future of his reign.