Renowned Colombian music sensation, Shakira, often hailed as the “Queen of Latin Pop,” is set to undergo trial in Barcelona as Spanish prosecutors pursue a tax fraud case against her.
The 46-year-old singer is facing allegations of defrauding the Spanish state of 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) in income earned between 2012 and 2014. Shakira vehemently denies these charges, asserting that she only became a full-time resident of Spain in 2015.
Spanish authorities contend that Shakira spent a significant portion of the mentioned period in Spain and should have paid taxes in the country. They claim that the singer employed a network of companies in tax havens to evade Spanish taxes.
Shakira’s defense argues that, until 2014, she led a “nomadic life,” primarily earning income from international tours. The singer maintains that she permanently relocated to Barcelona shortly before the birth of her second son in January 2015.
In a 2022 interview with Elle magazine, Shakira emphasized, “I’ve paid everything they claimed I owed, even before they filed a lawsuit. So, as of today, I owe zero to them.”
Commencing today, the trial is scheduled to run until December 14 at a Barcelona court, with nearly 120 witnesses expected to testify. The prosecution is seeking a jail term of eight years and two months, coupled with a fine of nearly 24 million euros ($24 million).
While Shakira is expected to testify during the opening session, she may request permission to be absent from subsequent hearings.
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