A Spanish princess has learned that her trial is to begin on 11 January.
Princess Cristina, 50, will be in court charged with two counts of being an accessory to tax fraud.
Her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, is accused of fraud, falsifying documents and the embezzlement. The former Olympic handball player ran a charitable foundation, the Nóos Institute, which is accused of accessing about €6m in public funds.
It is alleged that Urdangarin and his former business partner, Diego Torres, used royal connections to win public contracts, overcharged for services and stashed the money in privately owned companies and offshore tax havens.
Cristina was a board member of the Nóos Institute. In a ruling last year, the investigating judge noted that Urdangarin’s alleged crimes would have been “difficult to commit without at least the knowledge and acquiescence of his wife”.
Her brother, King Felipe VI, removed her title of the Duchess of Palma and the couple’s multi-million euro home was impounded by the court and sold in order to pay the court bond. She was not invited to the king’s coronation in June last year.
Both of the accused deny any wrongdoing. Cristina’s lawyer said that she trusted her husband to organise their financial affairs.
The corruption scandal added to the woes of Cristina’s father, King Juan Carlos, whose last years on the throne were clouded by embarrassing events. After almost four decades, he abdicated in favour of his son.
At the time, there were calls for a referendum on the future of the monarchy in Spain. King Felipe pledged to usher in an era of transparency.
In January, the princess will become the first member of the royal family to stand trial.
If convicted Cristina faces up to four years in prison, while Urdangarin could face a possible sentence of up to 19 years.
Comments
No doubt the Catalans behind it all - explaining why the Madridosos are so keen to keep them in the fold. And why the Catalans are so keen to get out and hold onto more of the results of their hard work.
But also clear proof that Portugal south of the Mondego is so much like the ex-Moorish southern Spain. Sitting back waiting for roast partridge to fly into their mouths. We need more Catalan types here!