Theft victim nuns investigated for tax evasion

A group of Spanish nuns is being investigated for possible tax evasion after reporting a huge sum of cash stolen from their convent.

The money was kept in a cupboard at the home of the mostly elderly Cistercian nuns in Zaragoza.

Police said they first reported €1.5m stolen, then lowered the figure to €400,000.

Jesus Garcia Huici, a lawyer hired by the nuns, said the money came from work they do and pay taxes on: bookbinding of old documents and restoration of antique books, and paintings by Isabel Guerra, a sister known in the Spanish media as the "painting nun".

He said the nuns have lots of daily expenses like taking care of sick sisters at the convent and giving out alms to poor people in Zaragoza and "that is how much money they had on hand at that time".

"It is a question of each person having the money they think they need. I have not asked for any explanation," the lawyer said.

Sister Isabel is known in Spanish art circles for realist-style portraits and still-life paintings. Her works have sold for as much as €40,000.

Galeria Sokoa in Madrid, where she used to show her work until the management of the gallery changed a few years ago, called her a major figure in Spanish art and said her shows were hugely popular.

Mr Garcia Huici said the convent is in a lower middle class district of Zaragoza and that whoever stole the money forced open three doors and the cupboard to get to it.

Police say they are focusing on who stole the money while an investigating magistrate will look into whether the presence of so much might warrant tax evasion charges.

The lawyer said the nuns have been questioned by police as crime victims, not suspected tax cheats.

"They are registered with tax authorities and file their returns regularly," he said.