Shakira faces jail term in Spanish tax fraud allegations

Colombian music sensation, Shakira often referred to as the “Queen of Latin Pop,” is facing trial in Barcelona as Spanish prosecutors pursue a tax fraud case against her.JAMB Result

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 denies these charges, asserting that she only became a full-time resident of Spain in 2015.InformationGuideNigeria

Spanish authorities claim that she spent a significant portion of that period in Spain and should have paid taxes in the country. They argue that Shakira utilized a network of companies based in tax havens to evade paying taxes in Spain.

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Shakira’s defense contends that she led a “nomadic life” until 2014, primarily earning income from international tours. They assert that she permanently moved to Barcelona shortly before the birth of her second son in January 2015.JAMB Result

During an interview with Elle magazine in 2022, Shakira stated that she had paid all the taxes claimed owed before any lawsuit was filed against her, asserting that she owed nothing at that time.NYSC PORTAL

The trial, which began on December 14, is scheduled to run until December 14, and the court is set to hear from nearly 120 witnesses. The prosecution is seeking an eight-year and two-month jail term for Shakira, along with a fine of nearly 24 million euros ($24 million).

While Shakira is expected to testify during the opening session, she may request permission to be absent from the remaining hearings.JAMB Portal

This high-profile trial is expected to reveal details about Shakira’s private life, as Spanish prosecutors conducted an extensive investigation, including interviews with neighbors, monitoring of social media activity, and scrutiny of payments at local establishments.

The case against Shakira follows Spain’s crackdown on tax evasion by celebrities, including football stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Given recent legal actions against prominent figures in the country for similar financial matters, the outcome of this trial will be closely monitored.

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