Juan Carlos I, who abdicated the Spanish throne in 2014, borrowed money from friends and entrepreneurs to pay off Spain’s tax arrears. This was announced on Saturday, February 27 by the newspaper El Pais.
According to the newspaper, at first there were more than 30 people on the list of those ready to help the former head of state, and then this figure dropped to about ten people. These individuals chose not to disclose their names.
All loan agreements indicate the interest rate (which can be 0%) and the maturity date of the debt. The last point, as noted, is controversial, because Juan Carlos I is 83 years old and he cannot be held responsible for a long-term loan, unless, after his death, his heirs do not take over the payment.
On Friday, the former king’s lawyer confirmed that Juan Carlos I had paid off € 4.4 million in tax arrears. In 2018, the ex-head of state was paid by his relative’s fund.
Earlier, on August 7, it was reported that Juan Carlos I, who abdicated the Spanish throne, left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The former head of state left Spain on a private jet from the city of Vigo.
On August 3, the former king of Spain announced his decision to leave the country.
Catalonia will consider the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the former monarch in connection with suspicions of corruption. In early June, the Spanish Supreme Court prosecutor’s office launched an investigation against Juan Carlos over contracts for the construction of a high-speed railway in Saudi Arabia between Mecca and Medina. Corrupt facts are being established in this transaction.
In addition, last spring, the Geneva prosecutor’s office launched an investigation into the origin of € 65 million, which the former king transferred to his ex-mistress Corinna Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn.
Juan Carlos I was King of Spain from 1975 to 2014. He abdicated in favor of his son Philip VI. For the last 58 years he has lived in the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.