Two surveys on former King of Spain Juan Carlos’ business relationships failed find sufficient evidence of criminal activity, Spain national prosecutor office announced Wednesday.
Juan Carlos, 84 years old, who left Spain for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under a cloud of scandal in August 2020, was the subject of various money laundering investigations by the Spanish and Swiss authorities for the past two years.
spain decision to close the two probes, related to the payments allegedly received over a top-speed train contract in Saudi Arabia and an offshore account in Jersey, follows a similar move by Switzerland prosecutors last December.
In a statement, the prosecutor said he was unable to show a connection between a payment of 65 millions euros (72 millions dollars) received by the former king and allotment of the lucrative Saudi rail contract to a consortium of Spanish companies.
Even if the prosecutor could prove any wrongdoing, the activities would fall outside of a law of limitations and Juan Carlos would have had constitutional immunity as a monarch at the time, he said.
Juan Carlos poured about 5.1 millions euros in back taxes as result of the investigation, the prosecutor added.
the former the king’s advocate said the prosecutor had failed for prove existence of any wrongdoing or criminal behavior.
Juan Carlos ascended the throne in 1975 after the death of General Francisco Franco and was widely respected for his role in help guide Spain from dictatorship to democracy.
But his popularity sank in years later due to a series of scandals, pushing him to step down in 2014.
