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WHAT DID THE DUKE DO ? Spanish king's son-in-law dropped from official duties
12-Dec-2011
A few months ago, King Juan Carlos of Spain proudly saluted the country's armed forces at the National Day military parade surrounded by his family, as he has done throughout his 36-year reign. Highly respected with a dignified bearing, the royal has always enjoyed great affection among his people.
In the public memory, the patriarch is remembered for his decisive role in thwarting a coup by military officers against the country's fledgling democracy in 1981.
But now the standing of the clan has been threatened by, what the local press has dubbed, the Urdangarin Case. Inaki Urdangarin, who is married to the monarch's daughter, Princess Cristina, because his business dealings are under investigation. The former handball player is accused of siphoning off funds from public contracts awarded to a non-profit organisation he headed between2004 and 2006.
Spanish Royal family member denies mishandling money (Euronews English):
The son in law of King Juan Carlos of Spain will stop taking part any in official ceremonies.
The Royal Palace has distanced itself from Inaki Urdangarin.
Spanish Royal House Embarrassed by Scandal ( Spanish News):
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CONFLICT OF INTEREST
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Spain duke Inaki Urdangarin suspended in fraud scandal (bbc)
The son-in-law of Spain's King Juan Carlos I has agreed to step down from officials duties amid a rare corruption scandal for the royal family.
Inaki Urdangarin, who married Princess Cristina in 1999, is being investigated overclaims he misused public funds given to a foundation he ran.
He has denied wrong-doing over the events in 2004 to 2006 but has said he regrets the"damage" caused.
The royal family has said it will now make its accounts publicly available.
Rafael Spottorno, head of the king's household, said the 43-year-old Duke of Palma de Mallorca - a former Olympic handball player - had mutually agreed with the palace that he would not take part in official duties for the foreseeable future.
Inaki Urdangarín featuring "Apocalypse" (Parody):
The duke's behaviour "does not seem exemplary", Spanish media quoted Mr Spottorno as saying, but he said he had the right to be presumed innocent.
It was unclear whether his wife, the king's youngest daughter Princess Cristina, was also affected.
The exact details of the accusations against the duke have not been made public.
Urdangarin Confession presented as a Godfather Parody :
But Spanish media say the duke is accused of misdirecting part of some 6m euro (£3.9m: $8m) to his not-for-profit Noos Insitute by regional governments to organise sporting events.
Some of the money allegedly ended up in for-profit companies which he ran. He stepped as head of the institute in 2006.
The duke's lawyer, Mario Pascual Vives, said his client was "worried, saddened and rather indignant at what is coming out in the media".
"He will always clearly feel his conviction he is fully innocent."
The Spanish royal family is largely well-regarded in the country, with King Juan Carlos credited with steering the country through the transition from dictatorship to democracy.
It has responded to the scandal by announcing it will make available a full breakdown of its annual spending budget.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodrigues Zapatero told Spanish media the public must "value the institutional role which the monarchy has", and that he hoped everyone would "respect the judicial process".
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SATIRE: What did the Duke Do ?
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The Court Jester : The Italian Court not so different from the Current Spanish one it seems ;0)
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Spanish duke denies wrongdoing
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Feb 25, 2012 08:42 AM PSTSpanish duke denies wrongdoing (BBC, VIDEO)
The son-in-law of Spain's King Juan Carlos has been questioned in court in Mallorca over corruption allegations.
Inaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma, is being investigated over claims he misused public funds given to a foundation he ran.
The duke has denied any wrongdoing in the case. "I come to clarify the truth and defend my honour," he said as he arrived.
The BBC's Tom Burridge in Madrid says there is intense local interest in the story, which has caused some embarrassment to the royal family.
Duke's Court case tests public support for the Spanish monarchy
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Feb 25, 2012 08:41 AM PSTRoyal mess (bbc)
Inaki Urdangarin, the husband of Spain's Princess Christina and son-in-law of King Juan Carlos, is to testify in court over allegations he misused millions of euros of public money.
He has not been formally charged but, as the BBC's Tom Burridge in Madrid explains, the case has brought a lot of unwelcome attention to Spain's royal family.
Spanish duke appears before judge over Corruption Charges
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Feb 25, 2012 08:38 AM PSTSpanish duke appears before judge (bbc)
The son-in-law of Spain's king has been questioned by a judge in Mallorca over corruption allegations.
Inaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma, is being investigated over claims he misused public funds given to a foundation he ran.
The duke has denied any wrongdoing in the case, which has been a rare embarrassment for the popular Spanish royal family.
"I come to clarify the truth and defend my honour," he said as he arrived.
"I have carried out my responsibilities and taken decisions correctly and with total transparency."
Scores of anti-monarchy protesters demonstrated noisily nearby as the duke arrived for the closed-doors hearing.
Some waved signs reading "Inaki owes us money" and "Monarchy Corruption", the AFP news agency reports.
Spanish royal to testify in court
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Feb 24, 2012 05:00 PM PSTSpanish royal to testify in court (BBC, VIDEO)
The Duke of Palma, Inaki Urdangarin, the husband of Spain's Princess Cristina and son-in-law of King Juan Carlos, will testify in court on Saturday over allegations that he misused millions of euros of public money.
He has not been formally charged, but the case has serious implications for the future of Spain's royal family.
Tom Burridge reports.
Spanish royal called before judge
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Dec 29, 2011 05:31 AM PSTSpanish royal called before judge (bbc)
The son-in-law of Spain's King Juan Carlos has been summoned to appear before a judge over allegations of corruption.
A court in Palma, Majorca, has summoned the Duke of Palma, Inaki Urdangarin, to appear on 6 February.
The duke, married to Princess Cristina, is being investigated over claims he misused public funds given to a foundation he ran.
The former Olympic handball player has denied any wrongdoing.
In the wake of the accusations, the Spanish royal family on Wednesday made its accounts publicly available.