Spanish princess loses appeal, must stand trial for fraud

Palma de Mallorca (Spain)- The sister of Spain’s King Felipe VI, the Infanta Cristina, is to stand trial for tax fraud after her appeal was thrown out by Judge Jose Castro in a Palma court on Friday.

The 49-year-old princess would become the first member of the Spanish royal family to stand trial.

She was cited as an accessory in an alleged tax fraud by her husband and former Olympic handball star, Inaki Urdangarin, charged with embezzling about 6 million euros (7 million dollars) public money through a charity he ran.

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The Public Prosecutor is seeking a 20-year prison sentence for Urdangarin.

The prosecutor did not stipulate a penalty for Cristina.

The trade union Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), which fights corruption and is acting as joint plaintiff in the case is seeking eight years and a fine of 2 million euros.

The trial is expected to start in the second half of the year. (dpaNAN)