Shakira is facing trial for her tax evasion case, People confirmed on Sept. 27. Spanish prosecutors announced on July 29 that they were seeking an eight-year prison sentence in their case against Shakira. In documents released by the prosecution and (via Reuters), she is accused of 14.5 million euros in tax evasion, or about $14.8 million. The prosecution is also demanding a fine of 24 million euros. The trial date has not yet been set.
Shakira, from Colombia, is accused of failing to pay taxes between 2012 and 2014. Shakira claims she did not live in Spain during those years, but prosecutors say she spent more than half each year in the country. Documents reviewed by Reuters indicate that prosecutors believe Shakira bought a house in Barcelona in 2012. Shakira’s team claim her official residence was in the Bahamas.
According to Reuters, the singer rejected a settlement agreement from the prosecutor’s office earlier this week. The terms of this agreement are not known. Shakira’s PR firm said in a statement at the time, “The singer is fully convinced of her innocence and therefore does not agree to a settlement.” Shakira’s team say she has already paid the 17.2 million euros that prosecutors originally told her she owed, and that she has no outstanding debts. She was first accused of tax evasion by Spanish authorities in 2018. They claimed she failed to pay 14.5 million euros.
Shakira recently ended her relationship with her longtime partner, FC Barcelona footballer Gerard Pique. The couple share two children and have been together for 11 years.
POPSUGAR previously reached out to Shakira for comment, but did not hear back.