BARCELONA – According to the Spanish authorities, Shakira would have evaded €14.5 million in taxes. The singer denies that. A judge in Barcelona is now opening the trial against the 45-year-old Colombian, who is due to appear in court soon.
The day is approaching when pop singer Shakira will appear in the dock in Spain on charges of tax evasion. A judge in Barcelona formally opened the trial against the 45-year-old today, the judiciary announced. Prosecutors have demanded against Shakira a total of eight years and two months in prison and a fine of €23.8 million. Shakira has repeatedly protested the allegations and pleaded her innocence. That court will also set a date for the start of a hearing once Shakira’s lawyers have submitted their letter of defence, Europa Press news agency reported.
Out-of-court settlement rejected
Shakira announced in July that an amicable settlement with the tax authorities in Spain had been rejected. Consequently, this paved the way for the musician’s trial. She is accused of evading a total of around €14.5 million between 2012 and 2014.
However, the Colombian performer has repeatedly professed her innocence. She dismissed the charges as a “total violation” of her rights. She is the victim of a “bitter persecution”. But she is confident that justice will eventually side with her, Shakira said in July.
Shakira denies having been resident in Spain
The key question is where the Colombian was taxable in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Justice says: in Spain because in each of the three years she stayed there for more than half a year. However, the singer denies that and always confirms that she lived in the Bahamas at that time.
Although, when in Spain, she repeatedly visited her then-boyfriend, footballer Gerard Piqué of FC Barcelona, with whom she has two children. It was only in 2015 that she lived permanently in Barcelona. Moreover, she has since paid all taxes plus interest. In 2018, Shakira transferred a total of €17.2 million to the Treasury.
Also read: Shakira could face prison for tax evasion
