Shakira Faces Jail Term in Spanish Tax Fraud Allegations

Colombian music sensation Shakira, often hailed as the “Queen of Latin Pop,” is set to stand trial in Barcelona as Spanish prosecutors pursue a tax fraud case against the 46-year-old artist.

Prosecutors are pushing for a jail term exceeding eight years, accusing Shakira of defrauding the Spanish state of 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) in income earned between 2012 and 2014. The singer vehemently denies these charges, asserting that she only established full-time residency in Spain in 2015.

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

The defense counters these claims, arguing that until 2014, Shakira led a “nomadic life,” primarily earning income from international tours. They contend that she permanently moved to Barcelona just before the birth of her second son in January 2015.

During a 2022 interview with Elle magazine, Shakira stated, “I’ve paid everything they claimed I owed, even before they filed a lawsuit. So, as of today, I owe zero to them.”

The trial, scheduled to run until December 14, began today in a Barcelona court. Approximately 120 witnesses are expected to testify during the proceedings.

The prosecution is seeking an eight-year, two-month jail term and a fine of nearly 24 million euros ($24 million) for the globally renowned singer.

While Shakira is anticipated to testify during the opening session, she may request permission to be absent from subsequent hearings.

This high-profile trial is poised to uncover details of Shakira’s private life, with Spanish prosecutors conducting a thorough investigation, including interviews with neighbors, monitoring social media activity, and scrutinizing payments at local establishments.

Shakira’s financial affairs were previously scrutinized in the “Pandora Papers” leak in October 2021, revealing details related to her residence in the Bahamas.

This legal action against Shakira is part of Spain’s broader crackdown on tax evasion by celebrities, echoing previous cases involving football stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The outcome of this trial will be closely observed, given the recent legal actions against prominent figures for similar financial matters in the country.