Spanish King’s brother-in-law faces prison
Supreme Court upholds sentence on charges of tax fraud and embezzlement
Spain’s highest court has upheld a prison sentence against the King’s brother-in-law, in a ruling that could send a member of the country’s royal family to jail for the first time in modern history.
The Supreme Court has ruled that Inaki Urdangarin, the brother-in-law of King Felipe VI, must serve five years and 10 months for charges including tax fraud and embezzlement, Reuters reports.
Last year, Urdangarin, who has four children with Princess Cristina and lives in Switzerland, was found guilty of using royal connections to overcharge regional governments through public contracts to stage sports and tourist events and with tax fraud.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Princess Cristina, the king’s sister, was found not guilty of criminal charges but was fined about $312,000 for her involvement in her husband’s businesses, although this figure was later halved by the Supreme Court.
It followed a six-year investigation and came amid a slew of corruption cases against politicians and public figures which have rocked the monarchy and brought down the former prime minister, Mariano Rajoy.
Dozens of high-ranking officials from Raoy’s People’s Party (PP) were jailed last month before the prime minister himself was finally ousted in a vote of no confidence.
The New York Times says Urdangarin still has “a final, slim chance” of avoiding or delaying incarceration, if he appeals to Spain’s Constitutional Court and that court agrees to reopen the case.
Princess Cristina and her husband were stripped of their titles of the Duke and Duchess of Palma after the initial court verdict.
King Felipe, who assumed the throne after the abdication of his father, Juan Carlos in 2014, has now cut off all official ties with the couple, “as part of his efforts to fight corruption, increase transparency and improve the tainted image of the monarchy”, says the New York Times.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A new era of hurricanes'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
How Britain's demographic is changing
A 50-year record population increase was fuelled by greater migration
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The story of Japanese jeweller Tasaki
The Blend A revival in the use of pearls in fashion and jewellery design places heritage brand Tasaki centre stage
By Felix Bischof Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published