King Juan Carlos flees Spain amid bribery and corruption scandal
The royal palace announced on Monday that Juan Carlos, who abdicated in 2014 over a previous scandal, was leaving so that his personal affairs would not affect his son Felipe's reign.Pressure had been building on Juan Carlos and Felipe to take action to protect the monarchy, after Spanish and Swiss prosecutors started examining allegations of bribes relating to a high-speed rail contract.
Retiree Manuela Fernandez was more understanding."I don't think it's wrong for him to leave," she told Reuters."However, if he's leaving because he is running away from the issue I don't like it."Juan Carlos' lawyer said on Monday the ex-king would"remain at the disposal" of prosecutors. Neither the lawyer nor the Royal House have commented on whether Juan Carlos has left Spain or where he is.
The former monarch plans to stay for a few weeks with a family who made their fortune in sugar plantations, before looking for a new destination, the newspaper said, without citing a source. TheAmid speculation over the former king's travel plans, Portuguese TV channeland the Correio da Manha tabloid said on Monday that he was in Cascais, a resort near Lisbon, where he spent part of his childhood.
The Geneva prosecutor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In Spain, the Supreme Court's prosecutor's office said it was carrying on with its investigation, adding that Juan Carlos' decision to leave changed nothing.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Where in the world is former Spanish king Juan Carlos?Accused of accepting bribes, he helped move Spain from dictatorship to democracy and his lawyer says the former monarch is at the ‘disposal of prosecutors’
Read more »
Where in the world is former Spanish king Juan Carlos?Accused of accepting bribes, he helped move Spain from dictatorship to democracy and his lawyer says the former monarch is at the ‘disposal of prosecutors’
Read more »
Portia de Rossi 'stands by' Ellen DeGeneres amid talk show scandalThe comedienne has come under fire over the 'toxic' work environment on the set of her award-winning show.
Read more »
DreamWorks kids animation channel launches in South Africa | ChannelChina's StarTimes pay-TV operator in Africa has added the 24-hour DreamWorks kids animation channel.
Read more »
Cosatu threatens to pull support from ‘feeble’ Ramaphosa administrationPresident’s ally calls his government dysfunctional as public anger grows over corruption in Covid-19 fight
Read more »