Former Spanish King Juan Carlos has paid another four million euros to the tax authorities to avert criminal proceedings for tax evasion, according to media reports. Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo interpreted the news as evidence that Spain was “a functioning country” that “holds all citizens accountable”. In Spain, “nobody is above the law,” Calvo said in a radio interview on Friday.
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Citing circles of the judiciary and the tax authorities, the newspaper “El País” reported on Friday that the former head of state had paid a tax debt with the voluntary additional payment, which had resulted from the receipt of around eight million euros. A foundation transferred the money to him until 2018, among other things to pay for private trips.
Previously, the 83-year-old “Rey Emérito” (retired King) had paid 678,000 euros to the tax authorities last December for other undeclared income. It was about years of use of credit cards, which, according to media reports, had been made available to him by a Mexican entrepreneur. The royal house in Madrid takes on such private affairs as the father of King Felipe VI. never position.
Juan Carlos, besieged in Spain by corruption allegations and judicial investigations, left his home country more than six months ago and has since lived in exile in the desert emirate of Abu Dhabi. He is said to be close friends with the local Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayid Al Nahyan (Said Al Nahjan). The Old King let it be known through his lawyer that he was still available to the Spanish judiciary abroad.
The Supreme Court launched an investigation into the ex-head of state in June on suspicion of tax fraud and money laundering. For the four decades that he was king, Juan Carlos enjoyed immunity. However, the Supreme Court could put him in the dock for any offenses that might have occurred after his abdication in June 2014.
