Performer Shakira answers questions at a press conference on January 30, 2020, in Miami. Spanish prosecutors are seeking an eight-year prison sentence against Colombian-born pop star Shakira in her scheduled trial for alleged tax fraud. Shakira is accused of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($15 million) in taxes in Spain between 2012 and 2014.
David J. Phillip / AP
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David J. Phillip / AP
Performer Shakira answers questions at a press conference on January 30, 2020, in Miami. Spanish prosecutors are seeking an eight-year prison sentence against Colombian-born pop star Shakira in her scheduled trial for alleged tax fraud. Shakira is accused of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($15 million) in taxes in Spain between 2012 and 2014.
David J. Phillip / AP
MADRID – Prosecutors in Spain said on Friday they will ask a court to sentence Colombian pop star Shakira to eight years and two months in prison, if she is convicted in the scheduled trial for alleged tax fraud.
Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, is accused of failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros ($15 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014. Prosecutors said they would also demanded a €24 million ($24 million) fine).
The indictment details six charges against Shakira. The singer this week rejected the settlement offered by prosecutors, opting instead to go to court. The trial date has not been set yet.
Her publicists in London said in a statement on Friday that Shakira “was always cooperative and in compliance with the law, exhibiting impeccable conduct as an individual and as a taxpayer.” Journalists accused the Spanish Tax Agency of violating her rights.
Earlier this week, Shakira’s Spanish public relations team said the artist had sent money she was said to be owed, including 3 million euros in interest.
Prosecutors in Barcelona have accused the Grammy winner of spending more than half of his time each year between 2012 and 2014 in Spain and should have paid taxes in the country.
Shakira recently ended an 11-year relationship with FC Barcelona star Gerard Piqué, with whom she has two children. The family used to live in Barcelona.
