MADRID (AP) — Spanish prosecutors said on Friday they will ask the court to sentence Colombian pop star Shakira to eight years and two months in prison if found guilty of alleged tax evasion.
Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabelle Mebarak Ripoll, is accused of failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros ($15 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014.
The indictment details six charges against Shakira. This week, the singer rejected a plea deal proposed by prosecutors and opted to stand trial instead. A hearing date has not yet been set.
Her publishers in London said on Friday that Shakira “has always obeyed and cooperated with the law, displaying impeccable conduct as an individual and as a taxpayer”. Journalists accused the Spanish Tax Service of violating his rights.
Earlier this week, Shakira’s Spanish PR team said the artist had paid the amount allegedly owed plus €3 million in interest.
Barcelona prosecutors said the Grammy winner spent more than half of each year in Spain between 2012 and 2014 and had to pay taxes in the country.
Shakira recently ended her 11-year relationship with FC Barcelona star Gerard Pique, with whom she has two children. The family lived in Barcelona.
Source: Breitbart
