Renowned Colombian music sensation and “Queen of Latin Pop,” Shakira, is set to face trial in Barcelona as Spanish authorities pursue a tax fraud case against her.
The prosecution is seeking a jail term of over eight years for the 46-year-old singer, alleging that she defrauded the Spanish state of 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) in income earned between 2012 and 2014. Shakira has consistently denied these charges, asserting that she only relocated to Spain full-time in 2015.
Spanish authorities claim that Shakira spent more than half of the aforementioned period in Spain and should have fulfilled her tax obligations in the country. They further assert that she used a network of companies based in tax havens to evade taxes in Spain.
In her defense, the singer’s legal team argues that prior to 2014, she led a “nomadic life,” primarily earning income from international tours. They contend that she permanently moved to Barcelona shortly before the birth of her second son in January 2015.
During an interview with Elle magazine in 2022, Shakira insisted, “I’ve paid everything they claimed I owed, even before they filed a lawsuit. So, as of today, I owe zero to them.”
The high-profile trial, scheduled to last until December 14, commenced at a Barcelona court today, with nearly 120 witnesses expected to testify.
The prosecution is seeking a jail term of eight years and two months, in addition to a fine of nearly 24 million euros ($24 million) for the internationally acclaimed artist.
While it is anticipated that Shakira will testify during the opening session, she may request permission to be absent from the subsequent hearings.
The trial is expected to bring to light details of her private life, as Spanish prosecutors have conducted an extensive investigation, including interviews with neighbors, monitoring social media activity, and examining payments at local establishments.
Shakira’s financial affairs came under scrutiny following the “Pandora Papers” leak in October 2021, which disclosed information regarding her residency in the Bahamas.
This trial follows Spain’s crackdown on tax evasion by celebrities, including football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The outcome of this high-profile case will be closely monitored, particularly in light of recent legal actions against prominent figures for similar financial matters in the country.
