Noos trial approaches

Antonio Zugaldia - CC 2.0

THE trial in the Noos corruption case, which will see the Infanta Cristina take the stand, is expected to take place at the end of this year or in early 2016.

The trial will be held at Palma Provincial Court and the date it yet to be determined, but in June, it was decided that the king’s sister would take her place in the dock with her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, despite the appeals of her defence lawyers. She is accused of co-operating in at least two tax-related crimes.

However, she has only been accused by the Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) organisation against corruption and it has not yet been decided whether or not it is legitimate for the organisation to maintain the charges against her for tax-related crimes if the public prosecution and the State Lawyers’ Department, which represents the Tax Office, is not accusing her.

She is the first direct relative of a King of Spain to go to trial.

Her husband is accused of diverting €6 million of public funds from the Noos Institute, a non-profit consultancy which billed regional governments more than €5 million for events to promote sport and tourism.

The royal son-in-law, Iñaki Urdangarin, and his associate Diego Torres are accused of creating a network of companies to embezzle funds.

Emails revealed in court by Torres suggest that Cristina was involved in its management. Documents of interest were found in the safe of the headquarters of Aizoon, the promoter’s office shared by the Duke and Duchess of Palma.

In some emails Iñaki reportedly explains to her how Noos works and what business is being carried out.

Iñaki was charged in December 2011 and has since appeared in court in February 2012 and February 2013.

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