Shakira, who was recently photographed in Mexico, is facing potential jail time in Spain for allegedly evading £12 million in taxes from 2012 to 2014. A Spanish judge has informed the pop star that she will stand trial for an alleged tax fraud amounting to €14.5 million (£12.9 million). She was initially warned in July about the possibility of an eight-year imprisonment after being charged with six counts of tax fraud. Today, the judge in Esplugues de Llobregat, near Barcelona, issued a formal order for the singer’s trial, concluding the lengthy investigation and requiring Shakira to testify in court.
This decision comes after the 45-year-old artist confirmed her refusal of an out-of-court settlement, which purportedly involved admitting guilt. The charges relate to accusations that she defrauded the Spanish government during a three-year period. Despite already paying a significant sum, including interest, of the alleged amount owed, state prosecutors are seeking an eight-year prison sentence if she is convicted. While the trial date has yet to be determined, it is expected to take place in the upcoming months.
Shakira, the Colombian singer, was recently photographed at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in France. However, amid the glitz and glamour, she has also been dealing with a legal issue related to her tax obligations. Earlier this year, a prosecution indictment was submitted to the Esplugues de Llobregat’s Court of Instruction Number Two, which has been investigating the allegations against her.
Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, is accused of pretending to reside abroad and utilizing a complex offshore corporate structure to evade fulfilling her tax responsibilities between 2012 and 2014. Interestingly, during this period, she had already begun a relationship with Gerard Pique, the former Manchester United defender, and had even moved to Barcelona. Despite being a previous tax resident in the Bahamas, she only registered as a full tax resident in Spain in 2015.
As an official resident in Spain, Shakira is expected to pay taxes on her worldwide income. According to Spanish tax laws, individuals who spend more than 183 days in Spain within a calendar year are considered tax residents. In an effort to gather evidence, tax inspectors diligently investigated Shakira’s activities, even going as far as visiting her favorite hairdresser’s salon in Barcelona and monitoring her social media activity. Their findings concluded that she had spent a significant amount of time in Spain during the disputed years, specifically 242 days in 2012, 212 days in 2013, and 243 days in 2014.
However, in response to the allegations, Shakira has maintained her innocence and denied any wrongdoing. Her public relations firm, Llorente y Cuenca, released a statement emphasizing her belief in her innocence and her decision to entrust the matter to the legal system. Despite the legal challenges, Shakira continues to captivate audiences with her music and performances as she navigates this legal battle.
The supposed swindle occurred during the period when Shakira relocated to Barcelona to start a life with her partner Gerard Pique, who happens to be a footballer based in that very city.
In a recent interview with Elle magazine, the singer spoke about her split from footballer Gerard Pique, finally breaking her silence on the matter. She described how music has been like her therapy, helping her through her toughest moments.
After being together for 11 years, the singer and Gerard Pique announced their separation in May. Though there were rumors of infidelity on Gerard’s part, nothing has been confirmed. It has since been revealed that he is now dating a woman named Clara Chia, who bears a striking resemblance to Shakira.
Since their split, the former couple has been working on figuring out the future of their two children. Shakira has expressed a desire to move to Miami with them, so negotiations have been taking place.
During her interview, the singer opened up about her coping mechanism during this difficult time. She acknowledged that the details of their split are too personal to share at this moment, as everything is still raw and new. However, she did emphasize that she invested everything she had into their relationship and her family.