Spain's ex-King Juan Carlos lands in UAE: reports
Spain's former king Juan Carlos has reportedly travelled to the United Arab Emirates after leaving his home country amid a corruption investigation.
An image published by Spanish media group NIUS seems to show the ex-monarch arriving in Abu Dhabi.
Juan Carlos made the shock announcement on Monday that he was leaving Spain.
The former king denies any wrongdoing and has said he'd be accessible if prosecutors had a need to interview him.
His departure has sparked a huge debate in Spain about the monarchy and powerful speculation about where in fact the former king has truly gone.
Local reports said he previously travelled to the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean or even to Spain's neighbour, Portugal.
But nowadays there are reports Juan Carlos is occupying an entire floor at Abu Dhabi's five-star Emirates Palace hotel. The former king was reportedly close with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
Up to now however his location remains unconfirmed. Spain's royal family and government have up to now declined to touch upon his whereabouts.
Why did Juan Carlos leave?
Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 after close to 40 years in power and handed capacity to his son Felipe.
His decision to stop the throne came after a corruption investigation involving his daughter's husband and a controversial elephant hunting trip the monarch took during Spain's financial meltdown.
The controversies however didn't stop there. In June this year, Spain's Supreme Court launched an investigation into Juan Carlos's alleged involvement in a high-speed rail contract in Saudi Arabia, following the ex-king lost his immunity from prosecution following his abdication.
On 3 August Juan Carlos announced he was now leaving his home country in a letter to his son.
"Guided by the conviction to best serve the people of Spain, its institutions, and you as king, I show you my decision at the moment to leave Spain," he wrote.
He said he made the decision "in the face of the public repercussions that certain past events in my own private life are generating" and in the hope of allowing his son to handle his functions as king with "tranquillity".
A statement said King Felipe VI had conveyed "his heartfelt respect and gratitude" to his father because of this decision.
