Shakira is Set to Stand Trial Over Tax Fraud Case in Spain
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Shakira has officially been ordered to stand trial over an alleged tax fraud case with Spanish authorities. A Barcelona judge has ordered former The Voice coach to stand trial after failing to pay 14.5 million euros in income taxes.
Shakira is Going to Court in Spain
Shakira is a pop star who is known for hits like “Waka Waka,” and “Hips Don’t Lie,” has been accused of defrauding the Spanish government. According to Tuesday’s court documents, the singer failed to pay income taxes between 2012 and 2014.
Spanish prosecutors have claimed they have “sufficient evidence,” to prove that the singer lived in the country during that time. The judge ruled that prosecutors can move forward with a trial for the singer on 6 counts of tax fraud.
Shakira has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying that she has paid everything the Spanish court claimed she owed. In a recent interview, she added the reason why she did not settle with Spanish authorities these past years. Shakira stated she has enough evidence proving that she did not spend enough days in the country during that period.
The singer is confident that she cannot be considered a resident for tax during her brief stay in the country. Despite prosecutors seeking more than eight years in prison for Shakira, she stated she’s fully capable of proving herself innocent.
Shakira Says She “Owes Zero” to the Spanish Government
The former The Voice coach has been loud as day in acknowledging her innocence in the situation. In a recently released interview, the singer clarified that she believes she’s completely innocent. She also revealed that Spanish authorities are use to employing unethical tactics to pressure celebrities like her.
“Even without evidence to support these fictional claims, as they usually do, they’ve resorted to a salacious press campaign to try to sway people and apply pressure in the media along with the threat of reputational damage in order to coerce settlement agreements,” she said.
At this time, Shakira assured fans that her innocence will be proven by the end of the trial. She’s also thanking fans for their support going into the upcoming trial.
It’s no secret Shakira is having a difficult year. A split from her long-time partner, her father experiencing health challenges and now facing trial by the Spanish government. Amid all of the problems she faces, Shakira does not forget to celebrate her accomplishments. The singer recently celebrated one billion streams of “Hips Don’t Lie” via Spotify.
