Freedom without borders
Urdangarin is not to pay bail and will continue to reside in Switzerland and move freely in the EU; court takes ex-duke's family circumstances into account
Freedom to move around the EU without having to justify why and permission to continue living in Switzerland with no further obligation to appear in court once a month. And not a euro of bail. Iñaki Urdangarin's settled life and his conduct towards the justice system since the scandal of his fraud was uncovered were sufficient grounds for the Court of Palma to decide that not only is it not yet time for him to comply with the sentence of six years and three months in prison handed down to him last week for the Nóos case, but that he will not even be required to put up bail to remain free. In fact, the court deemed Urdangarin's family, work and personal situation not even worthy of putting in writing: “His individual circumstances, which are well known, exempt us from making a detailed analysis.” It is understood that his legal ties with the royal family, which also allow him a police escort, are not to be exposed in the court records.
The seriousness of the offences and high penalties imposed on the ex-duke of Palma are not the only elements to consider when weighing the risk of escape, the court said. On the contrary, it is these special circumstances that are not detailed that make the possibility of Urdangarin escaping justice all but nil.
The freedom of movement allowed Cristina de Borbón's husband is such that if he wishes to leave Europe he only has the obligation to notify the court. In the meantime, he can appear before a court in Geneva once a month until there is a Supreme Court ruling. This is due to the fact that the parties are expected to appeal the Palma court's original decision.