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Spain's Former King Leaving Country Amid Financial Scandal

Associated Press

   MADRID - Spain's former monarch, Juan Carlos I, is leaving Spain to
   live in another, unspecified, country amid a financial scandal,
   according to a letter published Monday on the royal family's website.

   The letter from Juan Carlos to his son, King Felipe VI, said: "I am
   informing you of my considered decision to move, during this period,
   out of Spain."

   Juan Carlos, in the letter, said he made the decision against the
   backdrop of "public repercussions of certain episodes of my past
   private life."

   He said he wanted to ensure he doesn't make his son's role difficult,
   adding that "my legacy, and my own dignity, demand that it should be
   so." Juan Carlos' current whereabouts were not known.

   Spain's prime minister recently said he found the developments about
   Juan Carlos --including investigations in Spain and Switzerland
   --"disturbing."

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