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Enrique Calvo / Reuters
Duke of Palma de Mallorca Inaki Urdangarin, son-in-law of Spain's King Juan Carlos, arrives at court to testify before a judge in a case of suspected fraud embezzlement in Palma de Mallorca Saturday.
PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain -- The Spanish king's son-in-law appeared before a judge on the island of Mallorca on Saturday to respond to charges of tax fraud in a $7.9 million embezzlement case that has eroded public support for the once-popular royal family.
The scandal and other corruption cases in which politicians are accused of taking millions of euros in bribes have enraged Spaniards at a time when unemployment has soared to 26 percent in a deep recession.
Inaki Urdangarin, a former Olympics handball player who is married to the king's daughter, the Infanta Cristina, is accused of using his powerful connections to win public contracts to put on events on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca and elsewhere in Spain.
His Noos Foundation is suspected of overcharging for organizing conferences about the business of sports and hiding the proceeds abroad.
Dozens of police officials guarded the courthouse in Palma as Urdangarin got out of a car and walked down an access ramp into the building for the closed-door hearing where he will be questioned by Examining Magistrate Jose Castro.
Near the courthouse, a few hundred protesters chanted and held up signs reading "down with the monarchy" and "they call this a democracy but it isn't." More than 100 journalists were also on hand.
What did king's daughter know?
In Spain's legal system, lengthy pre-trial investigations are carried out by an examining magistrate, or judge. Urdangarin, 45, is charged with fraud, forgery, embezzlement and corruption. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence and fines.
Urdangarin was first charged and called in for questioning in 2011, but a trial could still be months or years away as the judge continues his probe and adds or dismisses charges.
Judge Castro was expected to question Urdangarin for most of the day on Saturday and perhaps into the early hours of Sunday.
Urdangarin is fighting an order that he and a former business partner in the Noos Foundation post bail of about $10.8 million. His assets could be seized if he does not meet bail.
The judge will also question on Saturday Carlos Garcia Revenga, former treasurer for the Noos Foundation and also private secretary to Urdangarin's wife, Cristina, 47.
Judge Castro is trying to find out how much the Infanta Cristina knew about the business of the foundation.
A criminal indictment of the king's daughter would be an unprecedented accusation against a royal in Spain.
Cristina is the only one of five directors of the Noos Foundation that has not been charged with a crime.
Lay-offs, evictions
The royal family has taken efforts to distance itself from Urdangarin, whose official title is Duke of Palma. Photos of him have been wiped off the royal website. He has also been banned from royal family events for over a year.
In Spain's severe economic downturn, more companies announce lay-offs each week. Tens of thousands of homeowners have defaulted on their mortgages and been evicted from their homes. The government has cut public salaries and spending on health and education.
In Palma, where a number of corruption cases have surfaced, Urdangarin has become a despised figure.
The local government held a news event earlier this month and in front of television crews ceremoniously removed a street sign "Boulevard of the Duke and Duchess of Palma" and renamed the street.
"It's a disgrace for our islands that have been so supportive of the royal family," said Esperanza Ruiz, a resident of Palma, as she shopped in a supermarket near the courthouse.
King Juan Carlos, who took the throne in 1975, was the most popular public figure in Spain in the late 1970s because of his role in supporting the transition to democracy after the long Francisco Franco dictatorship.
But for the first time, politicians have openly called for him to abdicate and hand the throne to his son, Prince Felipe.
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I must confess, I am shocked that someone who married into royalty, might have committed criminal offenses and failed to pay taxes. Not only that, but his wife, daughter to a King, might have even known about such behaviors. Why on earth if she did, would she not have demanded he behave himself and pay what he owed to the government? Setting the example to the people of all the virtues one should have?
Especially at a critical time, when so many are going through awful times of economical hardship, losing their homes, going hungry, seeking any job possible. Probably thinking at least their King cares, sets up a wonderful example of loving benevolent father figure-head who is watching over them. A country's guiding light to remind them not to lose all hope.
Seems some want him removed, but are they acting reasonable at this early point, not waiting to see how things turn out? After all, it's only millions and millions of dollars, right, and the King's daughter. Surely the father will step forward and help fix this mess, hold his son-in-law accountable, right?
Oh wait, I forgot, it would appear, being royal doesn't make one noble after all. Just a title on a piece of paper. Dang. I probably should also remember, all those silly things other royals have also been caught doing, like having affairs while married, siding with the Hitler during WW2,oops, supporting the theft of stolen fortunes of Jewish victims, manipulating who can marry who, and creating miserable lives for ones offspring, countless wars created over land grabs, murders of children/siblings/relatives-done to gain power and control,creating serfs to slave on ones lands, etc. Why yes, it does seem being royalty doesn't come with tons of virtues after all.
Ok, what Spaniard didn't side with Hitler during World War II? It's amazing how many people in Europe supported Hitler and, in Germany's case, voted him into office. Spat on the Jews on the way to the death camps, didn't you? Every hear of Franco? Your national hero!
Sell your virginity to somebody else, you old whore!
Sense of "entitlement"? Naw....rich people are perfect.
he looks like a real "dandy"...Is he modeling winter outfits ? he should....he could be the poster boy elderly women would love to look at.
Hummmmmmmmmmmm ... Royalty (Real & Wantabe) believe they are "entitled" to do as they please ...
What is the point of a royal family in this day & age? They should all get a job and get off the public dole.