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Shakira: Out-of-court settlement with tax authorities in Spain rejected
Photo: ANGELA WEISS / AFP
In an investigation into alleged tax evasion against pop singer Shakira in Spain, the public prosecutor's office has filed a criminal complaint. The application was filed on Tuesday at the competent court in Esplugues de Llobregat near Barcelona, the news agency Europa Press reported.
The public prosecutor's office responsible for economic crimes accused the 46-year-old Colombian of tax debts of almost 6.7 million euros, it said. A spokesman for the judiciary confirmed this information on request.
The investigation was initiated in July after a complaint by the tax office about two possible offenses related to income and wealth tax in 2018. An investigative court must now decide whether the musician, who became famous with hits such as "Waka Waka" and "Hips Don't Lie", must also be put in the dock in this tax case.
Shakira has been in trouble with the tax authorities and the judiciary in Spain for some time. Because of the accusation of tax evasion in the amount of a total of around 14.5 million euros in the years 2012 to 2014, the singer will probably have to go to court in Barcelona this year.
The public prosecutor's office is demanding a prison sentence of eight years and two months and a fine of 23.8 million euros. The trial is to be conducted before the Audiencia Provincial de Barcelona, which in Germany corresponds to a regional court.
The artist has repeatedly maintained her innocence. She asserts that in 2012, 2013 and 2014 she was liable to pay tax in the Bahamas. In addition, she had paid all taxes plus interest in arrears in the meantime. In July last year, she had therefore rejected an out-of-court settlement with the tax authorities in Spain – her adopted country until the separation from ex-professional soccer player Gerard Piqué. Meanwhile, Shakira has moved to Miami with their sons Milan, 10, and Sasha, 8.
wit/dpa