MADRID: The king of Spain's son-in-law appeared in court on Saturday on charges of fraud and embezzlement in a case which threatens to tarnish a royal family credited with steering the country from dictatorship to democracy.
The court in Palma de Mallorca ordered Inaki Urdangarin to testify in an investigation into alleged misuse of millions of euros in public funds at the non-profit Noos Institute, which he ran from 2004 to 2006.
"I appear today to demonstrate my innocence, my honour, my professional activity. For all these years I have discharged my duties and taken decisions properly and transparently," Urdangarin told reporters before entering the court.
Streets were cordoned off and security tightened to allow former handball player Urdangarin to enter the court in the Mediterranean holiday island's capital.
Hundreds of noisy protesters gathered chanting slogans against the monarchy and waving flags used when Spain last had a republican government, from 1931-39.
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