Duke of Palma summoned by Mallorcan court

The King of Spain's son-in-law, Inaki Urdangarin has been served by the Balearic Islands Superior Court of Justice to appear as a defendant in a case investigating the mis-use of public funds. Urdangarin who is married to the King of Spain's younger daughter Cristina, holds the title of Duke of Palma.

It is alleged that the Duke used his charitable organisation, the Noos Institute, to divert millions of euros whilst organising sport & tourism conferences in Mallorca from 2004 to 2006. The charges include corruption, fraud & embezzlement. The Balearic government at that time agreed contracts with Noos worth €2.3 million.

The prosecution claims that over half of that money was diverted to sister companies that charged greatly inflated prices for their services. It is also claimed that €650,000 of this money ended up in tax havens in Belize & the UK.

The Duke will be called to testify on 25th February 2012 in Palma de Mallorca. The Duke's lawyer has stated that his client is innocent.