Imogen Calderwood
PRINCESS Cristina will stand trial as her appeal has been rejected.
Investigating magistrate Jose Castro has thrown out the 49-year-old’s appeal against her indictment, and she is now facing four years in jail is found guilty of tax fraud.
The royal was indicted on December 22 as part of a four-year investigation into her husband Inaki Urdangarin, who faces up to 19 years in jail on charges of money-laundering and fraud.
Cristina’s lawyer, Miquel Roca, is disappointed by the decision, but has said that they will not be filing a complaint.
A court spokesperson confirmed that the way is now clear for a trial, which is now not expected before the end of the year.
Cristina is accused of receiving financial benefits from an alleged scheme with Urdangarin’s non-profit Noos organisation.
Examples of abuse of funds include purchases for the couple’s Barcelona mansion, salsa dancing classes and luxury holidays, according to the magistrate.
She will be the first member of the Spanish royal family ordered to stand trial since the family was reinstated following Franco’s death in 1975.
