Spanish princess close to indictment, paving way for corruption trial
Wrapping up a four-year pre-trial investigation, Palma de Mallorca investigative magistrate Jose Castro kept her on a list of suspects he thinks should stand trial.
He said Cristina is suspected of two counts of co-operation in tax fraud and one of money-laundering. The judge said her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, is accused of embezzlement and fraud.
Prosecutors and defendants will study the ruling and present their accusations or arguments. The judge will then decide what indictments to issue.
The state prosecutor has opposed having Cristina as a suspect and has said he will appeal Castro’s ruling.
The case centres on allegations that Urdangarin used his Duke of Palma title to embezzle some €6m in public contracts through the Noos Institute, a non-profit foundation he and a business partner set up that channelled money to other businesses, including Aizoon, a company he owned with Cristina.
The decision in the case comes less than a week after Cristina’s elder brother, Felipe, was proclaimed king after the abdication of his father, Juan Carlos.
The fraud case involving his daughter and other scandals has tarnished the royal family’s image.
Cristina, 49, became the first Spanish royal to be questioned in court since the monarchy was restored in 1975 when she testified in the case in February.
Commenting on the decision, the Royal Palace would only say it had “full respect for the independence of the judiciary”.
