Justice: Criminal complaint against pop star Shakira for tax evasion

In an investigation into alleged tax evasion against the pop singer Shakira in Spain, the public prosecutor’s office has filed a criminal complaint. The application was submitted to the responsible investigative court in Esplugues de Llobregat near Barcelona, ​​the Europa Press news agency reported.

The public prosecutor’s office responsible for economic crimes accused the 46-year-old Colombian of tax debts of almost 6.7 million euros, it was said. A spokesman for the judiciary confirmed this information upon request.

The investigation was initiated in July after a report from the tax office regarding two possible offenses in connection with income and wealth tax in 2018. An investigative court must now decide whether the musician, who became famous with hits like “Waka Waka” and “Hips Don’t Lie”, should also be in the dock in this tax case.

Imprisonment demanded

Shakira has been in trouble with the tax authorities and the judiciary in Spain for a long time. The singer will probably have to go to court in Barcelona this year due to allegations of tax evasion totaling around 14.5 million euros between 2012 and 2014. The public prosecutor’s office is demanding a prison sentence of eight years and two months and a fine of 23.8 million euros. The trial is to be conducted before the Audiencia Provincial de Barcelona, ​​which is equivalent to a regional court in Germany.

The artist has repeatedly protested her innocence. She asserts that she was a tax resident in the Bahamas in 2012, 2013 and 2014. In addition, she has now paid all taxes plus interest. In July last year, she therefore rejected an out-of-court settlement with the tax authorities in Spain – her adopted home until she separated from ex-football professional Gerard Piqué. Shakira has now moved to Miami with their sons Milan (10) and Sasha (8).