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Director of Spain's Alhambra Palace arrested on suspicion of fraud

Xinhua, June 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

The director of the famous Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain was arrested and questioned by police in Granada on Thursday as part of an ongoing fraud investigation, Spanish media reported.

Maria del Mar Villafranca and three other civil servants were detained on Thursday morning and released after questioning.

The investigation is related to the awarding of contracts to supply audio guides to tourists at Spain's most famous monument and the country's most important tourist attraction.

The Alhambra, which was constructed over a ruined fortress on hilltop overlooking the city of Granada in the 11th century, was converted into a royal palace for the Moorish kings in 1333. In 2014, the tourist attraction brought in 2.4 million visitors, more than any other monument in Spain.

After her release, Villafranca defended her innocence, adding that if she were to face charges, she would resign from her position, although she insisted she had "nothing to hide." Endit