Marbella court waits 18 months to question Sean Connery

A MARBELLA court has been waiting 18 months to question former James Bond star Sean Connery over an alleged money laundering operation.

Connery, 80, alleged health problems when he was required in court in October 2010.

He extended the apology to his wife, Micheline, who will also have to respond to questions regarding an alleged money laundering operation related to the sale of their Marbella villa ‘Malibu’.

A letter was sent to their home in Nassau in the Bahamas, saying ‘all legal measures, both in national and international legislation, would be used’ to oblige them to give evidence, Spanish daily El Pais reports.

A guarantee of €3.3 million was set for them to cover civil liability.

The couple are due to be questioned about the alleged participation of companies linked to them in any irregular real estate deal involving the sale of their villa.

The case resulted from a complaint presented to the anti- corruption prosecutor in 2006.

Marbella Town Hall lost an estimated €2.7 million because of the deal which reportedly generated profits of €53 million after 72 luxury apartments were built on the site. The actor and his wife allegedly transferred more than €37 million abroad.

Now that the court hearing the case has lost its second instruction judge, it is in the hands of a support judge until a new one can be appointed.

Photo credit: FEATUREFLASH
By Jennifer Leighfield