estimated that the Town Hall has lost some 2.7 million-euros because of the deal which has seen 72 luxury apartments built on the site formally owned by Sean Connery.
He had previously sent a letter to the courts which the judge deemed potentially threatening, but in the latest development the James Bond actor cited ‘health and age’ reasons for not attending the hearing. Judicial sources indicated that Connery had sent a fax explaining that both in his case, and in that of his wife, he was unable to attend for heath and age reasons and that he did not have the time to organise the trip.
He went on to apologise but said he would remain at the disposition of the court. Judge Ricardo Puyol could now take his statement via a Letter of Request.
“The court is now considering its next move.
The emission of an international arrest warrant is a possibility but a remote one. The most likely scenario is that the investigating magistrate will make a formal request through a rogatory commission to question Sir Sean at his home.”
Sean and his wife bought the house after marrying in 1975 and entertained a host of stars there, including Richard Burton, Michael Caine, Omar Shariff and George Best.
They have both denied any involvement in the money laundering case and have threatened legal action after being linked to the court proceedings.