Spain's Princess Cristina to testify over corruption charges
- 10 years ago
The daughter of Spain’s King Juan Carlos, Princess Cristina, has agreed to testify over tax fraud and money-laundering charges.
In a statement her law firm said: “Her Royal Highness has decided to renounce her right to appeal … and to appear voluntarily before the judge, adding that she absolutely and firmly disagrees with the charges.”
The case is centred on Princess Cristina’s involvement in a charitable organisation called Noos Foundation run by her husband, former Olympic handball player Inaki Urdangarin.
Urdangarin was earlier charged with fraud, tax evasion, falsifying documents and embezzlement of 6 million euros in public funds through Noos, which put on sports business conferences in Mallorca and across Spain.
It will be the first time a member of Spain’s royal family will appear as the subject of criminal proceedings since Juan Carlos came out of exile to reclaim the throne after the end of the Francisco Franco dictatorship in 1975.
In a statement her law firm said: “Her Royal Highness has decided to renounce her right to appeal … and to appear voluntarily before the judge, adding that she absolutely and firmly disagrees with the charges.”
The case is centred on Princess Cristina’s involvement in a charitable organisation called Noos Foundation run by her husband, former Olympic handball player Inaki Urdangarin.
Urdangarin was earlier charged with fraud, tax evasion, falsifying documents and embezzlement of 6 million euros in public funds through Noos, which put on sports business conferences in Mallorca and across Spain.
It will be the first time a member of Spain’s royal family will appear as the subject of criminal proceedings since Juan Carlos came out of exile to reclaim the throne after the end of the Francisco Franco dictatorship in 1975.