(Barcelona) After maintaining her innocence for five years, pop singer Shakira accepted a deal with Spanish authorities on Monday, on the first day of her trial for tax fraud in Barcelona, which will allow her to avoid the risk of being sentenced to prison.
Shakira announced to the president of the court, José Manuel del Amo, that she accepted the agreement reached with prosecutors.
She answered “yes” to admit guilt to six counts of non-payment to the Spanish government of 14.5 million euros (approximately 21.7 million CAN) in taxes between 2012 and 2014.
Under the agreement, Shakira will be given a three-year suspended sentence — meaning she will not be imprisoned — and a fine of 7 million euros (approximately 10.5 million CAN). ).
The trial, during which more than 100 witnesses were expected to take the stand over the coming weeks, was therefore canceled after only eight minutes.
In a reaction sent by the PR firm that represents her, Shakira said she wanted to continue fighting to prove her innocence, but put her family, career and peace of mind above all else. .
“I have made the decision to finally put an end to this matter in the interest of my children, who do not want to see their mother sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight,” she argued.
“I need to move on from the stress and emotional strain of the last few years and focus on the things I love, my children and all the opportunities ahead in my career. »
Prosecutors announced in July that they would seek a prison sentence of eight years and two months and a fine of 24 million euros against the singer, who has conquered the world with her songs in Spanish and English in different genres musical.
The case that was settled Monday concerned where Shakira, now 46, was living during that time.
Prosecutors claimed the Colombian singer spent more than half of that time in Spain, and therefore should have paid taxes on her worldwide earnings in the country, even though her official residence was still in the Bahamas. Tax rates are much lower in the Bahamas than in Spain.
The public relations firm that manages Shakira’s communications assured that its client had already paid everything she owed, as well as an additional three million euros in interest.
The multiple Grammy award winner waved and blew a blown kiss to a small crowd of passersby before entering the courthouse.
Shakira had refused a first offer made to her by prosecutors to end this case in July 2022, saying, through her public relations firm Llorente y Cuenca, that she “believes in his innocence and chooses to let the matter in the hands of justice.” Details of this proposal have not been made public.
Shakira was named in the leaked “Paradise Papers” which detailed the tax arrangements of numerous public figures, including musical celebrities like Madonna and U2 singer Bono.
Spain has also cracked down on world soccer stars, such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, in recent years for not paying their taxes in full.
Former FC Barcelona and Real Madrid players were found guilty of fraud, but both avoided prison after their sentences were suspended.
Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, has two children, Milan and Sasha, with soccer player Gerard Piqué. The couple lived together in Barcelona, before ending their relationship last year. Since then, Shakira has resided in Miami.
