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Juan Carlos is being investigated in Spain, as well as in Switzerland
The former king of Spain, Juan Carlos, who has been living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since August 3, has confirmed the Spanish royal palace, putting an end to speculation about his stay.
On August 3, the ex-king made the shock announcement that he was leaving Spain amid a corruption investigation.
The 82-year-old traveled to the UAE on August 3 “and he stays there”, a spokesman said, giving no further details.
The old king’s finances are being investigated in a major corruption probe.
He denies any wrongdoing and has said he is available if prosecutors need to interview him.
- The monarchy of Spain is shocked by the Swiss fortune of the former king
Earlier this month, he announced the move in a letter to his son Felipe, to whom he gave the throne six years ago.
He said that at the time the decision was “in the face of the public backlash that certain events in the past have generated in my private life” and in the hope of fulfilling his son’s functions as king with “rest”.
It was initially reported that he had traveled to the Dominican Republic, but Spanish media later said he had arrived in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.
Until now, neither the palace nor the government had confirmed his stay.
The former king is said to have traveled to the UAE several times since his abdication in 2014.
He is reportedly close to a number of key figures including the de facto leader of the UAE, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan
Why did Juan Carlos leave?
Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 after nearly 40 years in power and handed over power to his son Felipe.
His decision to abdicate came after a corruption investigation involving his daughter’s husband and a controversial elephant hunting trip that the monarch took during Spain’s financial crisis.
However, the controversies do not stop there.
In June this year, the Spanish Supreme Court launched an investigation into Juan Carlos’ alleged involvement in a high-speed contract in Saudi Arabia, after the ex-king lost his immunity from prosecution following his abolition.
Juan Carlos played a very important role in the transition from Spain to democracy after the death of Gen Francisco Franco in 1975, but his popularity and health declined in the last years of his reign, giving him the baton to his son.
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