They were known as a formidable team fighting corruption in the Balearics. They were both feared and admired and entered local folklore as “Elliot Ness” style corruption fighters.
But the formidable team has now split all because of a princess. Palma Judge Jose Castro upheld corruption charges against Cristina de Borbon, sister of newly-crowned king Felipe VI this week. But his one-time ally Pedro Horrach maintains that she does not have a case to answer and should be cleared. This high profile clash is gripping Spain at the moment but both are sticking to their guns. Castro said he had formalized charges of tax fraud and money laundering against princess Cristina, 49, who was caught up in an investigation of her husband Iñaki Urdangarin’s business dealings. Horrach has appealed his decision and a war of words has broken out between the two. It will now be left to their fellow colleagues in a court of appeal to decide who is wrong and who is right. Horrach has always maintained that the princess was not involved in the alleged cases of corruption which have been made against her husband. Castro differs.
The battle between the two is an important sideshow at a time when history is being made. Never before has a member of the Spanish royal family been mixed up in a case of alleged corruption.