King Felipe is expected to turn a new page in another turbulent year for the Spanish royal family in his annual Christmas Eve speech. It is speculated that his father Juan Carlos hopes to return to Spain as soon as possible.
The former monarch abdicated seven years ago and gave way to his son Left Spain suddenly On behalf of the United Arab Emirates in August 2020, trying to protect the crown from A series of destructive allegations About his financial transactions.
Felipe tried to pass a few months ago Deprive Juan Carlos of his annual allowance He also gave up the personal inheritance he inherited from his father in response to reports that he was prepared to receive millions of euros from a secret offshore fund linked to Saudi Arabia.
Spanish newspaper of the month world Earlier, sources close to Juan Carlos said that the 83-year-old hoped to temporarily return to Spain as early as January.
The report was made in Geneva’s Office of the Supreme Prosecutor End criminal investigation Due to insufficient evidence, Saudi Arabia has paid 100 million U.S. dollars (75 million pounds) for money laundering allegations. Juan Carlos is not among the five suspects indicted in this case.
The prosecutor’s office stated that the investigation had determined that Riyadh had paid a Panama-based foundation whose beneficial owner was Juan Carlos, but could not clearly link the payment to a 2011 transaction. According to the transaction, the Spanish consortium received 6.7 Euros in compensation. One billion (5.7 billion pounds) contract to build a high-speed railway line in Saudi Arabia.
The Swiss investigation is one of several investigations launched in recent years regarding the financial arrangements of the former king, which undermined the Spanish monarchy Fragile control of power And undermine the popularity of a leader who plays a role The key role of restoring democracy After the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975, he went to Spain.
Prosecutors of the Spanish Supreme Court continue to review allegations of rebates and potential tax fraud in Saudi Arabia.
Juan Carlos said he never told his son that he would benefit from the two offshore funds, but did not comment further on the allegations.
The Prime Minister of Spain’s Socialist Party, Pedro Sánchez, ignored the proposal for a return this month, saying that the government has not yet had any dialogue with the royal family.
“We are talking about two different institutions, which obviously cooperate and cooperate in extraordinary ways, but have not consulted the Spanish government on this issue,” Sanchez said. “Of course, I believe King Juan Carlos must explain.”
A case before the High Court of London may have complicated the former king’s desire to return to Spain. Former lover claims She was harassed by state agents under his command.
Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein’s lawyer stated in the basic argument submitted to the court in early December that she was seeking compensation for “the great mental pain, panic, anxiety, pain, loss of happiness, humiliation and moral stigma she suffered”.
Juan Carlos’s lawyer argued that sovereign immunity should apply to this case. In a written argument in court, Daniel Bethlehem QC stated that the former king “refused to accept the charges against him, and the Spanish government denied any alleged misconduct in the strongest terms.”
