Crime & Justice

UK judge denies ex-Spain king immunity appeal in harassment case

London, Mar 29 (EFE).- The former Spanish king Juan Carlos I does not have the right to appeal at the British High Court a recent verdict that he was not protected by royal immunity and could therefore face a harassment lawsuit filed by his former lover Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, the presiding judge ruled Tuesday.

The ex-monarch can, however, take the ruling issued last week directly to the Court of Appeal.

On March 24, Judge Matthew Nicklin dismissed the immunity claims by the former king’s legal team, saying they did not apply in English jurisdiction, where the harassment case has been filed.

In 2020, zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, born Larsen, sued the former monarch for harassment, claiming she had been surveilled and threatened after their relationship ended.

She has previously stated that it was linked to a 65-million-euro “gift” she had received from the former king in 2012.

Juan Carlos abdicated in favor of his son in 2014 after he became embroiled in a corruption scandal while Spain was weathering a harsh financial crisis.

The legal team of zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn believe this was when he gave up his royal immunity, although Juan Carlos’ lawyers disagreed.EFE

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