KATHMANDU: Spain’s former King Juan Carlos has decided to leave the country after he was linked to an inquiry into alleged corruption.

In a letter to his son, Felipe, to whom he handed power six years ago, Juan Carlos, 82, made the announcement.

He said he would be available if prosecutors needed to interview him.

In June, Spain’s Supreme Court opened an investigation into the alleged involvement of Juan Carlos in a high-speed rail contract in Saudi Arabia.

It was not immediately clear where the former monarch would now reside, but Spanish press reports say he is no longer in the country, a BBC report.

Carlos had skillfully guided Spain from dictatorship to democracy after the death of General Franco in 1975.

(With inputs from Agencies)