Iñaki, Cristina and the NOOS Corruption Investigation Part 1 (2011-2014)

[GömdNatt]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

Spanish king's sister, Princess Cristina, becomes first member of royal family to stand trial following tax fraud charges over her husband's alleged embezzlement of public funds | Daily Mail Online

I'm glad she's going to stand trial for her actions. Although I do worry about the kids. Hopefully the rest of Cristina's family and Inaki's family are standing with the kids and keeping them happy.

It is such a pet peeve of mine that so many of these English-speaking newspapers/magazines keep referring to her as Princess. If they're afraid of people not understanding the Infanta title (which takes a sentence to explain) then they should her her Ducal title.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Does Cristina have to base herself in Spain or can she fly in and out for the trial?

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Blimey, I thought she was in the clear after paying 600.000 euros. What a nightmare.

So did I. This is stunning news.

[GracieGiraffe]

Originally Posted by TLLK

So did I. This is stunning news.

Sounds like that payment was a hail Mary pass

[rominet09]

Very expected news unfortunately.

[kalnel]

I wonder if Felipe has the power to pardon her. (And, if he does, would he do it?)

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by kalnel

I wonder if Felipe has the power to pardon her. (And, if he does, would he do it?)

I wouldn't think so during an on-going trial/investigation. After, if she is found guilty on a count or two, I doubt it would be to his advantage to pardon her. I know she is his sister, but I bet privately he would like to ring both Cristina and Inaki's neck. If he was smart, he would just let the law take it's course otherwise he would also look corrupt. Through all this, I feel for the children. They must be so very confused.

[Jacknch]

I agree Winnie, I'm not sure King Felipe does have such a power to pardon and even if he did, I should think it would be wise not to evoke it if his sister were to be found guilty. Furthermore, I think it would be in his best interests to stay well away from the whole sorry story.

I must say that I am quite surprised that things have taken this turn. Whatever the truth is I hope that a trial is concluded as speedily as possible. I feel very sad for the children and everyone concerned.

Until this is all over, I think it wise to maintain the view of "innocent until proven guilty", for the sake of the kids at least.

[ANNIE_S]

This news is not surprising at all, at least for me. There were many interest on having her on trial. Corruption is everywhere in Spain nowadays, almost every power stament is rotten by it. The judges simply don't want people getting the impression that those implied in corruption cases get ride of that easily.

It happened some weeks ago with famous singer Isabel Pantoja who was sent to jail for another very mediatic corruption trial, even though she could have avoid it.

Which doesn't mean Cristina doesn't deserve what she's getting, though. Had she been completely innocent, she wouldn't be going through all this.

[rominet09]

Originally Posted by kalnel

I wonder if Felipe has the power to pardon her. (And, if he does, would he do it?)

He may be can do it privately but publicly ? Never it would really be taken wrongly

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Winnie

I wouldn't think so during an on-going trial/investigation. After, if she is found guilty on a count or two, I doubt it would be to his advantage to pardon her. I know she is his sister, but I bet privately he would like to ring both Cristina and Inaki's neck. If he was smart, he would just let the law take it's course otherwise he would also look corrupt. Through all this, I feel for the children. They must be so very confused.

The King of Spain, like the President of United States, does possess the so-called "right of clemency" (Art. 62(i) of the Spanish constitution). However, as all actions of the King must be countersigned by the president of the government or another competent ministers, I assume he can't grant pardons without the government's approval.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by ANNIE_S

This news is not surprising at all, at least for me. There were many interest on having her on trial. Corruption is everywhere in Spain nowadays, almost every power stament is rotten by it. The judges simply don't want people getting the impression that those implied in corruption cases get ride of that easily.

It happened some weeks ago with famous singer Isabel Pantoja who was sent to jail for another very mediatic corruption trial, even though she could have avoid it.

Which doesn't mean Cristina doesn't deserve what she's getting, though. Had she been completely innocent, she wouldn't be going through all this.

The news that the Infanta will have to stand trial is surprising to me not because of the nature of the alleged offense, or for who Cristina is, but rather because the state prosecutor had withdrawn charges against her. In most western countries , one cannot be criminally prosecuted if he/she is not indicted by the State. In fact, that sounds like a blatant violation of individual rights to me.

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

The King of Spain, like the President of United States, does possess the so-called "right of clemency" (Art. 62(i) of the Spanish constitution). However, as all actions of the King must be countersigned by the president of the government or another competent ministers, I assume he can't grant pardons without the government's approval.

You are correct about the power, but I was under the impression that a USA pardon could only be given after the court case was completely over and a verdict was passed, not now during an open case.

I personally have never been in favor of this year end pardon ability of the president, even though a legal gimmick. Just always seems so wrong to overturn the jury and judge on a whim of a few.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Winnie

You are correct about the power, but I was under the impression that a USA pardon could only be given after the court case was completely over and a verdict was passed, not now during an open case.

You are right. The power of clemency can be used only after a conviction, both in the US and Spain.

[Sophronisba]

The power of clemency can be used only after a conviction, both in the US and Spain.

In the U.S., at least, it is possible to pardon someone prior to a conviction -- this was ruled permissible by the Supreme Court in the 1866 Ex parte Garland case. The most famous instance of this is Ford's pardon of Nixon, who was never charged with a crime. George H. W. Bush also gave Caspar Weinberger a preemptive pardon.

[Duke of Marmalade]

I hope Felipe stays out of this whole mess and doesnt mention it during his Xmas speech. JC did and it only backfired.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Sophronisba

In the U.S., at least, it is possible to pardon someone prior to a conviction -- this was ruled permissible by the Supreme Court in the 1866 Ex parte Garland case. The most famous instance of this is Ford's pardon of Nixon, who was never charged with a crime. George H. W. Bush also gave Caspar Weinberger a preemptive pardon.

Of course, here in the States, its a tradition too that the President pardons all the turkeys on Thanksgiving day.

In this case though, I don't think King Felipe would step in and pardon anyone that had been tried and convicted of a crime just because the person happened to be a relative. There would be too much backlash I think. Whatever the outcome, Inaki and Cristina will have to bear the court's decisions.

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

I hope Felipe stays out of this whole mess and doesnt mention it during his Xmas speech. JC did and it only backfired.

I agree 100%. Not the time or place for any comments on a serious case like this involving immediate family. I am sure, at the time of JC's speech last year, there was no way he would have imagine that his life would take such a drastic turn as it did in 2014. Often wonder about JC and Sofia. Shame how her life turned out.

[An Ard Ri]

Well I'll be watching the King's Christmas message and hoping he stays out of this mess as it looks like 2015 will be another explosive and damaging year for the younger sister of the King.

[LadyFinn]

Government support for Spain’s scandal-plagued Princess Cristina has waned, with its new parliament spokesman saying she should consider taking herself out of the line of succession after being ordered to stand trial on tax fraud charges.
“Cristina should reflect on whether she should renounce her rights of succession,” said Rafael Hernando in an interview published on Sunday in newspaper El Mundo.
Spanish government drops support for Princess Cristina over tax fraud charges World news The Guardian

Government support wanes for scandal-hit Spanish royal - Independent.ie