The former King of Spain, Juan Carlos, lands in Abu Dhabi country: reports

The former king of Spain, Juan Carlos, has reportedly traveled to the United Arab Emirates after leaving his homeland amid a corruption investigation.

A photo published by Spanish media group NIUS shows the ex-monarch who arrived in Abu Dhabi.

Juan Carlos made the shock announcement on Monday that he was leaving Spain.

The former king denies any wrongdoing and has said he would be available if prosecutors were needed to interview him.

His departure has sparked a huge debate in Spain over the monarchy and intense speculation about where the former king has gone.

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Local reports said he had traveled to the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean rather than to Spain’s neighbor, Portugal.

But there are now reports Juan Carlos occupies an entire floor in Abu Dhabi’s five-star Emirates Palace hotel. According to the former king, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan became crown prince with Abu Dhabi.

However, its location remains unconfirmed. The royal family and government of Spain have so far refused to comment on his stay.

Why did Juan Carlos leave?

Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 after nearly 40 years in power and gave 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’ proven involvement in a high-speed contract in Saudi Arabia, after the ex-king lost his immunity from prosecution following his rejection.

On August 3, Juan Carlos announced that he had now left his homeland in a letter to his son.

“Accompanied by the conviction to best serve the people of Spain, their institutions, and you as King, I inform you of my decision at this time to leave Spain,” he wrote.

He said he made the decision “in the face of the public imitation 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”.

A statement said King Felipe VI had conveyed his father’s respect and gratitude to his father for this decision.

How did Spain react?

The departure has sparked a fresh debate over the role of the Spanish monarchy and the allegations of corruption against Juan Carlos.

The parliament of Catalonia – which is controlled by separatist parties seeking independence from Spain – voted in a non-binding motion on Friday to condemn the monarchy after the ex-king’s departure.

“Neither Spaniards nor Catalans deserve such a loud and ridiculous scandal on an international scale,” regional president Quim Torra told lawmakers.

There have also been demonstrations asking Spain to become a republic again.

The country abolished its monarchy in 1931 before the end of a devastating civil war that ended with the victory of dictator Francisco Franco in 1939.