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Juan Carlos I: Is it all about calm in Abu Dhabi?
Photo: Esteban Felix / dpa
Former King of Spain Juan Carlos I remains in the United Arab Emirates despite the drop in corruption investigations against him.
However, his son, the current King Felipe VI, has also accepted his father's intention to visit Spain.
This was announced by the royal family in Madrid.
Just last Wednesday, the Spanish Attorney General's Office dropped all criminal investigations into the former head of state's financial misconduct.
The royal family published a letter from the 84-year-old to his son, stating that Juan Carlos I initially wanted to continue living in Abu Dhabi for reasons “that are private and only concern me”, but would visit his homeland “frequently”, to see family members and friends.
Juan Carlos I went into exile in the capital of the United Arab Emirates in August 2020 on suspicion of embezzlement in order to “facilitate the performance of his duties” for his son, as he recalled in his letter.
The monarch's reputation has suffered greatly in public because of the investigations and his flight into exile.
Regrets things in his personal life
The Spanish judiciary dropped its investigations into Juan Carlos I last week, paving the way for his return to his homeland.
The three investigations were dropped due to a lack of evidence, the statute of limitations and the inviolability that Juan Carlos enjoyed as head of state.
The Spanish public prosecutor's office had initiated proceedings against Juan Carlos since 2020.
Among other things, it was about dubious gifts of money in the millions from Saudi Arabia and allegations of money laundering.
At the center of the suspicions was a sum of $100 million (€65 million) that Saudi Arabia's then King Abdullah had deposited in 2008 into a Swiss bank account that Juan Carlos had access to.
In Abu Dhabi "I found peace, especially for this part of my life," the old king is now quoted in the statement.
In the letter, Juan Carlos expresses regret about some "earlier events" in his private life, but also claims "legitimate pride" in his contribution to the democratic coexistence of Spain.
His son Felipe VI.
since then he has distanced himself from his father on several occasions.
Among other things, last year he withdrew from Juan Carlos the financial allowances of 200,000 euros per year that are usual for ex-monarchs from the royal family.
Following the current letter published by the royal family, it states succinctly: »His Majesty the King (Felipe VI) respects and understands the will of His Majesty the King Don Juan Carlos, which is expressed in his letter.«
A return to Spain, even if only for short visits, is tricky for the royal family.
At least socially, because the justification given by the judiciary for the termination of the investigation was "devastating," as the journalist and connoisseur of the royal family Pilar Eyre wrote.
Apr/AFP/dpa
