Juan Carlos seeks immunity in British court

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Former King of Spain Juan Carlos wants immunity in a British court after his ex-girlfriend accused him of espionage and harassment.

Danish-born businesswoman Corina Larsen (also zu Sayn Wittgenstein) sued Juan Carlos in civil court. But the 83-year-old former king denies the allegations and says that as a Spanish monarchy, he does not fall under British jurisdiction.

Larsen and Juan Carlos had an affair in 2004-2009 and the former king is said to have showered his mistress with gifts and huge amounts of money. When he tried to resume the relationship and obtained the nobility, Larsen claimed that Juan Carlos had begun to act unpleasantly.

Corina Larsen accuses him of trying to break into her home, shooting security cameras and destroying parts of her home. According to Larsen’s lawyers, Juan Carlos gave up his criminal immunity when he abdicated in 2014, but according to the king’s defenders, he can only be tried in a Spanish court.