Accused of Hiding $100 Million from Saudi Arabia in Secret Vault
Asylum Possible Only with Spanish Prosecutor's Approval
Spanish Royal Family Faces Existential Crisis
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The former King of Spain, who has been accused of corruption, has announced his intention to leave Spain. After it was revealed that former King Carlos I was suspected of accepting bribes, not only the honor of the Spanish royal family but also the position of the current King Felipe VI has become precarious.
According to foreign media on the 3rd (local time), former King Carlos, whose position has deteriorated due to bribery charges, sent a letter to his son, King Felipe, expressing his intention to leave Spain. However, he did not disclose specific plans regarding where he would go.
King Carlos secured the high-speed rail project connecting Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia in 2011 through a Spanish consortium. When the consortium did not receive payment from Saudi Arabia, he acted as a behind-the-scenes mediator. During this mediation, he reportedly received a large sum of $100 million from Saudi Arabia, which he allegedly deposited into a secret Swiss bank account through his German businesswoman mistress, Corinna Larsen.
The corruption allegations against former King Carlos have now extended to King Felipe. There are suspicions that the slush funds of the father may have flowed to the son. Because of this, King Felipe declared that he would renounce his inheritance.
However, public pressure continued. King Felipe faced ongoing demands that a decisive action was necessary to maintain the Spanish royal family.
Former King Carlos said, "Under the desire to dedicate myself to the Spanish people, government, and the king, I have decided to leave Spain." King Felipe expressed gratitude for former King Carlos's decision and emphasized his contributions to Spain's democratization during his reign.
Former King Carlos was respected by the Spanish people for supporting Spain’s transition from military dictatorship to democratic governance. However, he retired in 2014 after being embroiled in a corruption scandal.
Although former King Carlos has expressed his intention to go into exile, whether he can leave depends on the prosecution’s judgment. His legal team stated that whether he can leave the country depends on the prosecution’s decision.
Opinions are divided within Spain. The issues include whether to maintain the status of the 82-year-old former king, send him abroad, or subject him to judicial punishment.
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