Shakira faces prison term of 8 yrs over tax evasion charges in Spain. Read full story
India Today
As per the prosecutors, Shakira maintained official tax residency in the Bahamas till 2015. However, she moved to Spain in 2011, when her relationship with FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique began.
Global music superstar Shakira is making headlines again but for all the wrong reasons. The singer could face a prison term of more than eight years, according to Spanish prosecutors. The development comes after she rejected a plea deal on accusations of tax evasion. Prosecutors in Barcelona will also demand a fine of nearly 24 million euros (Rs 1,94,37,68,415) from the 45-year-old songstress, whom they accuse of defrauding the Spanish tax office out of 14.5 million euros of income earned between 2012 and 2014.
Shakira said that she was "absolutely certain of her innocence" and has decided to let the case go to court, according to a statement through her lawyers, as she rejected a plea deal on Wednesday. The singer is even "confident" that her innocence will be proven. The Whenever Whenever singer also slammed the "complete violation of her rights" and "abusive methods" carried out by the prosecutor's office.
A trial date has not been set as of now and a formal referral to court has not yet been announced either.
As per the prosecutors, Shakira maintained official tax residency in the Bahamas till 2015. However, she moved to Spain in 2011, when her relationship with FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique began. In fact, the couple, who share two children, announced their separation in June.
Shakira has also claimed that the prosecutors are "insisting on claiming money earned during my international tours and the show The Voice". She was a part of the judges' panel on the show from 2013-2014 in the United States and she wasn't "a resident in Spain" back then.
According to Shakira's lawyers, the songstress earned most of her money from international tours until 2014 and moved to Spain full time only in 2015 and has met all tax obligations. Moreover, she claims that she has paid 17.2 million euros.
She says she has paid 17.2 million euros (Rs 1,39,30,34,031) to Spanish tax authorities and that she has "no debt to the Treasury for many years".
