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King Felipe's Brother-in-Law Guilty of Fraud, Infanta Cristina Acquitted - Court

© REUTERS / Marcelo del Pozo/File PhotoSpain's Princess Cristina (R) arrives at the court with her husband Inaki Urdangarin, to appear on charges of tax fraud, as a long-running investigation into the business affairs of her husband goes to trial in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, January 11, 2016.
Spain's Princess Cristina (R) arrives at the court with her husband Inaki Urdangarin, to appear on charges of tax fraud, as a long-running investigation into the business affairs of her husband goes to trial in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, January 11, 2016. - Sputnik International
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A Spanish court ruled on Friday that Inaki Urdangarin, the brother-in-law of King of Spain Felipe VI, was guilty of fraud, while his wife Infanta Cristina was acquitted, local media reported.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Urdangarin was accused of embezzling $7.3 million in public funds from the non-profit Noos Institute through a company owned by the royal couple. Cristina was suspected of involvement in fraudulent activities carried out by her husband.

"Urdangarin took the control over everything, Infanta Cristina was not involved. No evidence has been presented to the court indicating that she had been aware of the fraud," Cristina's lawyer Pau Molins told reporters, noting that his client was sure about the acquittal.

Spain's Princess Cristina arrives at a makeshift courtroom for a corruption trial, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Monday, Jan. 11, 2016 - Sputnik International
Court Hears Calls to Clear Spanish Infanta Cristina of Tax Offense Charges
Urdangarin was sentenced to six years and three months in prison for embezzlement and fraud, among other charges. He also received a fine of 512,000 euros ($545,150).

The non-profit Noos Institute, co-owned by Urdangarin and his companion Diego Torres, was engaged in organization of sporting events. Anti-corruption bodies accused Urdangarin and Torres of financial fraud through the contracts with the authorities of Valencia, Madrid and Balearic Islands, with the money embezzled through the Aizoon company, owned by the royal couple, according to media reports.

The Royal Palace of Madrid respects the independence of Spain's judiciary over the verdict against 17 financial fraud defendants, including Infanta Cristina and her husband.

"We fully respect the independence of Spain's judiciary," the Royal Palace said.

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