Post date: Jan 07, 2014 8:49:48 PM
News of tax fraud and money-laundering charges against Spain's Princess Cristina lead Colombian newscasts.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (JANUARY 7, 2014)(CABLE NOTICIAS) - Colombian newscasts across the country led on Tuesday (January 7) with news of Spain's Princess Cristina, who has been charged with tax fraud and money-laundering.
The charges against King Juan Carlos' younger daughter pile 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 March 8, 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 ($8 million) 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.