Shadow of corruption scandal looms over Spanish royal family

Madrid, Feb 18 (AFP) Spanish King Juan Carlos' son-in-law will be questioned today by a judge investigating a corruption case as press reports make new revelations that cast a growing shadow on the entire royal family. Inaki Urdangarin and former partner Diego Torres are suspected of syphoning off millions of euros paid by regional governments to the Noos Institute, a charitable organisation which Urdangarin chaired from 2004 to 2006. The money was meant to cover the cost of staging sporting and tourism events. Both men have denied any wrongdoing and have not been charged with any crime. Spain's two main daily newspapers, El Pais and El Mundo, today published e-mails supposedly sent by Urdangarin which appear to indicate that the king backed and closely followed his business career closely. The revelations are embarassing for the royal palace which has tried to mark a clear border between Urdangarin's business affairs and the royal family, especially Urdangarin's wife, Princess Cristina, since the scandal erupted at the end of 2011. Princess Cristina was a non-executive director at the Noos Institute but has not been called to appear in court for questioning. (AFP) ASK 02190133 NNNN