MOSCOW, January 7 (RAPSI) - Princess Cristina of Spain has been summoned to appear in court in the midst of an embezzlement investigation presently pending against her husband, El Pais reported Tuesday.

The BBC reported Tuesday that Princess Cristina is now considered a formal suspect in the case and will be required to appear before the court on March 8.

According to El Pais, the princess’ husband Iñaki Urdangarin is suspected alongside business partner Diego Torres of having embezzled EUR 5.8 million in public funds by having earned government contracts without officially bidding for them, and then transferring the money to offshore zones. Prosecutors have requested 12 years for Urdangarin, according to the report.

The princess was reportedly targeted in the case in April, a move that was then blocked by a local court.

According to El Pais, Judge Jose Castro remarked that the princess should be made to testify in order to elucidate her role in the alleged scheme and as a testament to the equality of justice for all.

The BBC reported that if she appears, this would likely be the first time an immediate family member of the king had been made to appear before a court in Spain on allegations of wrongdoing.

Anticorruption attorney Pedro Horrach of the Balearic Islands has argued that there is no evidence connecting the princess with her husband’s business activities, according to El Pais.