Spain: more than eight years in prison required against Shakira, accused of tax evasion

Colombian singer Shakira is being sued for tax evasion by Spain.

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1 min

For weeks, the Spanish prosecutor's office and the singer Shakira sought an amicable agreement.

In vain.

This agreement not having been obtained, a trial will take place for tax evasion against her.

The famous Colombian singer Shakira will sit in the dock, even if the date is not yet known, and face a trial for tax evasion.

The Spanish prosecutor's office is demanding 8 years in prison and a fine of more than 23 million euros.

The artist declares herself innocent and says she wants to go all the way.

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With our correspondent in Madrid,

François Musseau

The Spanish prosecutor's office is asking for more than eight years in prison against the Colombian star Shakira and a fine of more than 23 million euros.

The Spanish authorities claim that between 2012 and 2014, the Colombian artist Shakira found a way not to declare 14.5 million euros to the Spanish tax authorities.

The main argument of the prosecution is that during this period, Shakira resided in the surroundings of Barcelona, ​​​​in various residences, with her companion, the football player of FC Barcelona Gerard Pique.

She resided there more than half of her time, at least 183 days a year.

For this very reason, it had fiscal duties vis-à-vis Spain and only vis-à-vis Spain.

Shakira defends herself by saying that for many years she has used companies that have their headquarters outside Spain and travel often.

According to her, she therefore had no account to render to this country. 

The tax authorities do not agree at all, and further claim that the singer concealed her income through a system of shell companies established in tax havens such as Malta, Luxembourg or Panama.

We can expect a river trial and very media, with at least 37 witnesses. 

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