Més accuse court of showing favourable treatment to Urdangarin

The decision to grant conditional liberty and not to require bail was one that seemed "correct" to Horrach, though whether it was a decision that would be shared was another thing. He understood, however, that there is no risk of either Urdangarin or Torres seeking to evade justice.

Of political reaction, David Abril, the joint spokesperson for Més, said that granting liberty without bail was confirmation of privileged treatment being applied.

"Judicial decisions such as those of the past days put in question the credibility of institutions, especially the administration of justice. We criticised the Nóos trial ruling because the princess was inexplicably freed from her responsibilities. Now there is also confirmation that her husband benefits from this favourable treatment.

"To be sentenced to six and eight years in prison and to not enter prison for now is not normal. By not withdrawing his passport he is allowed to live in Switzerland and present himself to a court there. This can only be explained by an action of the Rajoy government with respect to another country that isn't even in the European Union. We don't know of any other case like this anywhere in Spain."

Rajoy, for his part, declined to comment on the court's decision except to observe that he always respects court decisions. "There are others who do not, but I am not about to get into a discussion as to whether I like some decisions or not."

The sentences handed to Urdangarin and Torres are subject to appeal to the Supreme Court. Both will remain at liberty until there is ratification (or not) of the sentences.