22/02/2012 00:00
TW
0

Palma.—This Saturday, the courthouse on the Avenidas is going to be the scene of one of the biggest global media events in Majorca's recent history.
At 9am, the Duke of Palma Iñaki Urdangarin, the son-in-law of King Juan Carlos, is due to appear in court to defend himself in a widening embezzlement scandal which has involved the former President of the Balearics, Jaume Matas, who was questioned about the alleged corruption scandal last Saturday.

The Duke, 44, a former professional handball player who won Olympic medals for Spain in the sport, was formally made a suspect in the wide-ranging fraud case that alleges the embezzlement of millions of euros of government funds through a non-profit organisation he co-directed between 2004 and 2006.

Investigators claim to have discovered a “black hole” in the accounts of the Noos Institute, which organised sporting and tourism events for the regional governments of the Balearics and Valencia.

The Duke denies any wrongdoing but that has not dampened the interests of the global media.
And, this is causing the security services a nightmare.
Not only is the media going to be carefully marshaled so too will the general public and various left wing groups who are planning a series of protests.

The National Police have recommended that the Duke be driven round the rear of the courthouse, where the photographers will be stationed, instead of being made to walk to the courts like everyone else involved in this or any other case.

The Royal household has yet to make a decision but it does appear that the Duke will be accompanied by members of the Royal protection squad as well as members of the National Police in a two-phase security operation.

What is more, properties overlooking the rear of the courthouse, where the Duke is expected to arrive if driven to the courts, are to be carefully policed to prevent any objects being thrown at the husband of the King's youngest daughter, Princess Cristina.