News / EU

Princess Cristina attends court session in Mallorca

Tuesday, 09 February 2016 10:53 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 09 February 2016 10:53 AM ]

Spain’s Princess Cristina (R) arrives at court with her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, to attend trial in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, February 9, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Spain’s Princess Cristina de Borbon is in court over charges ranging from tax fraud to an embezzlement scam that also involves her husband, in a criminal case badly damaging the image of the Spanish royal family.

Fifty-year-old Cristina, the sister of King Felipe VI, arrived for the trial in a court in Palma de Mallorca on Tuesday.

Her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, has allegedly embezzled about 6 million euros ($6.5 million) in public contracts through the nonprofit Palma-based Noos Institute he co-ran from 2004 to 2006.

She is the first member of Spain’s royal family to face criminal charges since the monarchy was restored in 1975 after the death of dictator General Francisco Franco.

Felipe VI stripped Cristina and her husband of their titles as the duke and the duchess of Palma de Mallorca following their indictment last year. Former King Juan Carlos had given the titles to the couple after their high profile marriage in 1997 at the peak of the popularity of Spain’s royal family.

The case against the couple was launched in 2010 by a judge investigating corruption allegations among Balearic Islands authorities. The case is perceived by the public as an example of corruption among Spain’s elites, including the royal family.

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