Spanish Prosecutors Accused Shakira Of Tax Fraud

Colombian music sensation Shakira, who is widely known as the “Queen of Latin Pop,” is currently facing trial in Barcelona due to a tax fraud case pursued by Spanish prosecutors.

The prosecution alleges that Shakira defrauded the Spanish state of 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) in income earned between 2012 and 2014.

They are seeking a jail term of over eight years for the singer. Shakira, on the other hand, denies these charges and asserts that she only became a full-time resident of Spain in 2015.

The Spanish authorities claim that Shakira spent more than half of the mentioned period in Spain and should have paid taxes in the country.

They argue that she used a network of companies based in tax havens to avoid paying taxes in Spain.

However, Shakira’s defense team argues that until 2014, she led a “nomadic life,” earning most of her income from international tours.

They state that she permanently moved to Barcelona just before the birth of her second son in January 2015.

According to an interview with Elle magazine in 2022, Shakira claimed that she owe Zero amount to the Spanish authorities.

She said; “I’ve paid everything they claimed I owed, even before they filed a lawsuit. So, as of today, I owe zero to them.”

The trial has commenced at a Barcelona court and is scheduled to run until December 14. The court will hear from nearly 120 witnesses.

The prosecution is seeking a jail term of eight years and two months, along with a fine of nearly 24 million euros ($24 million) for Shakira.

While she is expected to testify during the opening session, she may request permission to be absent from the remaining hearings.

This trial is expected to delve into the details of Shakira’s private life.

Spanish prosecutors have conducted an extensive investigation, including interviews with neighbors, examination of social media activity, and scrutiny of payments at local establishments.

The trial is garnering significant attention, as it follows Spain’s crackdown on tax evasion by high-profile figures, such as football stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Given the recent legal actions against prominent individuals in Spain regarding financial matters, the outcome of Shakira’s trial is being closely watched.

The trial will provide insights into the approach of the Spanish legal system in addressing tax evasion cases involving public figures.