A Spanish high court said it would uphold charges of tax fraud against Cristina de Borbon, sister of King Felipe VI. The court rejected an appeal against the charges, which were originally brought by a lower court based in the Balearic Islands .
However, the High Court of Palma de Mallorca said it would drop charges of money laundering against the princess.
The charges against Cristina de Borbon were the result of a three-year investigation of her husband Inaki Urdangarin’s business dealings, in a case that has shaken the monarchy as it is trying to rebuild its reputation under the newly crowned king.
The investigation focused on the non-profit Noos Institute headed by Urdangarin, and Aizoon SL, a shell company he owned equally with his wife. Urdangarin is suspected of embezzlement, defrauding the government, influence trafficking and falsifying official documents.
Cristina’s lawyer, Miquel Roca, stated that the princess disagrees with the court’s decision to keep her under suspicion of tax evasion, and that they will continue with the defence.
The princess may yet escape trial, as Spain’s state prosecutor doesn’t support the charges against her. Under Spanish law, citizens can’t be tried for tax crimes without the support of the public prosecutor, as the state is the damaged party.
Agencies