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Tuesday, 14 January 2014 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
further scandal on the once-beloved but increasingly unpopular royal family.
Palma de Mallorca Examining Magistrate Jose Castro said in a 200-page ruling after a lengthy investigation that there was evidence that Cristina, 48, had committed crimes.
He summoned her to appear in court on 8 March, possibly paving the way for an unprecedented trial of a Spanish royal.
The princess’s defence lawyer, Miguel Roca, told Spanish television he would appeal the summons, saying “I am absolutely convinced of her innocence”.
Her husband, former Olympic handball player Inaki Urdangarin, was earlier charged with fraud, tax evasion, falsifying documents and embezzlement of 6 million euros in public funds through his charitable foundation, which put on sports business conferences in Mallorca and elsewhere in Spain. Urdangarin has denied any wrongdoing.
The case is one of many high-level corruption scandals in Spain that have undermined faith in public institutions at a time of economic crisis marked by deep cuts in public spending.
Opinion of the royal family in particular has sunk to its lowest level ever.
A Sigma Dos poll published on Sunday showed almost two thirds of Spaniards want King Juan Carlos to abdicate after 38 years on the throne and hand over to Prince Felipe, who is still well regarded and is not implicated in his sister’s case.
Juan Carlos became king with the restoration of the monarchy in 1975 following the death of the dictator General Francisco Franco. He won respect from Spaniards for his role in the transition to democracy, notably his actions in foiling a coup attempt in 1981.
But various scandals, shows of extravagance, and incidents such as an elephant-hunting trip to Africa at the height of the crisis in 2012 have tarnished his standing along with the Urdangarin affair.
While they have been under investigation, Princess Cristina and her husband have ceased to participate in public appearances. She and the couple’s four children moved last year to Geneva where she works for a Spanish bank’s charity. Urdangarin remains in Spain.
The case is centred on Urdangarin’s non-profit Noos Foundation. He is accused of using his connections to win public contracts to put on events in Mallorca and elsewhere in Spain. Judge Castro has said there is evidence the foundation overcharged for organising conferences and hid the proceeds abroad.
