Infanta Cristina of Spain to Be Tried on Tax Offence Charges: Judge

The Spanish Duchess of Palma de Mallorca, Infanta Cristina,is to be tried on two tax offence charges. The hearing will take place in the second half of 2015.

MADRID, December 22 (Sputnik) — The Spanish Duchess of Palma de Mallorca, Infanta Cristina, is to be tried on two tax offence charges.

Judge Jose Castro ruled that the hearings would take place in the second half of next year.

The Duchess of Palma de Mallorca was put on trial for tax offences, based on evidence that she was involved in fraudulent activities carried out by her husband Inaki Urdangain. Urdangain and his former associate Diego Torres have been accused of embezzling $7.3 million in public funds from the non-profit Noos Institute through a company owned by the royal couple.

Last week the duchess paid 587,000 euros ($729,000) in a public liability bond, as she indirectly benefited from her husband's embezzlement. The Infanta's attorneys described it as a "goodwill gesture" to persuade the judge to not open court proceedings against her.

Earlier this month the prosecutor decided that Cristina herself was not connected to any of the crimes, but Urdangarin now faces up to 19 years in jail and a $4.3 million fine, should the judge decide to accept the prosecutor's request.

A total of 17 people are currently on trial for the Noos case. Cristina, the sister of King Felipe VI, has repeatedly stated that she was unaware of her husband's fraudulent activities.