Barcelona: A Spanish judge on Tuesday allowed the trial of Colombian pop singer Shakira on charges of tax fraud. Spanish prosecutors accused the entertainer in 2018 of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($13.9 million) in taxes on income between 2012 and 2014. If Shakira is found guilty of tax evasion, prosecutors are seeking up to eight years in jail and a hefty fine.
Shakira, 45, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and rejected a deal with authorities to avoid going to trial. Shakira’s public relations firm said Shakira has paid off all of the debt plus an additional 3 million euros ($2.8 million) in interest. The court, based in the town of Esplugues de Llobregat, near Barcelona, said Shakira would face six counts of tax fraud. A trial date is yet to be set.
The case is about the place where Shakira lived during 2012-14. Barcelona’s lawyers have alleged that the Grammy winner spent more than half of that time in Spain and should pay taxes in the country, even though Shakira’s official residence is in the Bahamas. Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Maybarak Ripoll, has been linked to Spain since she started dating soccer player Gerard Pique. The couple, who have two children, lived together in Barcelona but recently ended their 11-year relationship.