former Bond star has been summoned to court following an investigation into the sale for of his beachside property over ten years ago.
The property in question was sold in 1999 for £5.5 million.
Sean Connery and his wife, French artist Micheline Roquebrune, were called to the hearing set to take place on October 15 in Marbella. However, the Hollywood A-lister refused to attend due to his age and ill-health, reported the Telegraph newspaper.
The couple were asked to be present at the ‘Goldfinger’ case, in which the magistrates are investigating allegations of tax evasion and money laundering, to give evidence on the land they once had a home on.
After Sir Sean sold his Costa Del Sol property, it was later redeveloped into a four-storey block of apartments, made up of 70 holiday homes, which sold for an estimated £45 million.
Although the former 007 star and his wife have not been charged with an offence, investigators claim there were irregularities in the reclassification of the land after it was sold.
Police have since raided the offices of the actor’s law firm Diaz-Basten & Truan and several local council officials are also being investigated.
A court worker, speaking to The Daily Mail on the day of the hearing said: “Mr Connery has informed the court in writing he won't be coming today. He has cited health reasons and his advanced age and said he has not been able to prepare the journey in time.
“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.
