INFANTA CRISTINA OF SPAIN FACES CHARGES OVER CORRUPTION SCANDAL

Infanta Cristina of Spain faces charges over corruption scandal   03 APRIL 2013

Spain's Infanta Cristina, the youngest daughter of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, faces charges over allegations that her husband embezzled millions of euros of public money.

Her husband of 16 years, Inaki Urdangarin, is suspected of having overcharged local authorities for organising sporting and tourism events.The Duke of Palma, a former Olympic handball player, denies wrongdoing and has not been charged. His wife, the Duchess of Palma de Mallora, has been summoned to appear in court on 27 April. 

Emails have come to light suggesting that she knew about her husband's financial affairs, according to Spain's El País newspaper.

Inaki and his former business partner Diego Torres are believed to have syphoned off around €5m given by local governments to the Noos institute, of which Iñaki was partner from 2004 to 2006, to organise sporting and tourism events. It is alleged that some of the money ended up in companies controlled by the duke and in offshore bank accounts. The 45-year-old was suspended from royal engagements in December. 

It is not clear on what charges the princess was called to testify by judge Jose Castro but commentators have said that the situation may increase pressure on Juan Carlos to abdicate after a series of blunders in recent months.

It is reportedly the first court summons for a direct descendant of the Spanish king.

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