The Infanta Cristina of Spain accused in corruption case

The infanta Cristina, 48-year-old, youngest daughter of King Juan Carlos of Spain, was accused in a 200-page ruling by the judge of Palma de Mallorca, Jose Castro, of  money laundering and tax fraud and summoned her to appear before the Court on March 8.

The husband of the Princess, the former player of handball, Iñaki Urdangarin, has been charged with fraud, tax evasion, forgery and crime against the public Treasury for diverting some 6 million euros (8 million dollars) of public funds through its charitable foundation, Urdangarin Noos. The Princess and Urdangarin deny the charges.

Judge Castro, who began her research on the royal couple three years ago, has struggled to make accusations against the Infanta Cristina. In April 2013, the judge ruled that there was evidence that the Infanta had assisted Urdangarin.

A High Court dismissed those charges in may, arguing that the evidence was not sufficient, but  gave Castro more time to investigate an accusation of tax fraud.

With these new charges, Castro ruled against the recommendations of the anti-corruption Prosecutor of the case, who argued in december that there was no evidence that Cristina had committed those crimes.

Is expected that the Princess appeal the charges and get them to be removed again, or to give the judge a lapse of several months to finally bring the case to trial.