MADRID: Spanish judges yesterday dismissed money-laundering charges against King Felipe VI’s sister Cristina, potentially saving the princess from going on trial in a royal scandal.
In a written ruling the court on the island of Mallorca answered the latest appeals in a case that contributed to the abdication this year of Felipe’s father, Juan Carlos.
The judges decided to “partially uphold the appeals... dismissing the proceedings with regard to money-laundering and maintaining the charges of cooperating in tax fraud” against Cristina, 49, they wrote in a ruling.
Judicial sources said the lesser tax fraud charges may yet be overturned by a separate investigating judge, who has the final say on whether Cristina goes on trial.
It would be the first time a direct relative of a Spanish monarch ended up in the dock and a big headache for Felipe who took the throne in June promising an “honest and transparent monarchy”.
Investigating judge Jose Castro accused Cristina of knowingly benefiting from suspect business dealings by her husband, former Olympic handball player Inaki Urdangarin, the 46-year-old Duke of Palma.
AFP
