(Madrid) Spanish media speculated on Tuesday on the arrival of ex-King Juan Carlos in the Dominican Republic but, since the announcement the day before his departure into exile, the Royal Palace has refused to communicate any information.
Posted on August 4 2020 at 6 a.m. 49
France Media Agency
All the press took for granted that the former monarch, targeted by an investigation for corruption, left the territory although neither the Royal Palace nor the government had confirmed it.
On the front page of the daily website ABC , favorable to the monarchy, an article stated on Tuesday that Juan Carlos , 82 years, had traveled to the Dominican Republic. El Mundo and the Vanguardia have followed suit and write that he intends to stay with friends for a while in this Caribbean country.
But the online newspaper El Confidencial writes that he could be in Portugal, where he spent his early childhood, but also in France or Italy, where he has parents.
The Royal Palace declined to comment on these speculations. “The only information we have is that which was published yesterday on the Royal House website,” a spokesperson said.
For her part, Queen Emeritus Doña Sofia, from whom Juan Carlos has been separated for a long time, is still in Spain, AFP learned Tuesday from a source close to the Royal Palace.
The Palace had published the letter from Juan Carlos to his son, King Felipe VI, in which he announced his decision to move away from Spain in order to help him “carry out his responsibilities”. Since his accession to the throne in June 2014, the sovereign has worked to restore the image of the monarchy marred by scandals.
The ex-king had abdicated because of the scandals but they are pursuing him. Swiss justice is investigating a commission of 82 million dollars that he allegedly received from Saudi Arabia on an account in Switzerland in 2008.
The Spanish Supreme Court announced in June the opening of an investigation into his possible criminal responsibility, but only for acts committed since his abdication. He had previously been covered by royal immunity.
Juan Carlos had ascended the throne in 1975 after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco, who had chosen him to succeed him, and had led the the country's transition to democracy. He was popular for a long time before his image was tarnished by his connections and suspicion of corruption.
